What Christians Need to Know About Rasonque, the New Medication that Fights Cancer

“Today’s approval provides a critical new option for patients facing an extraordinarily difficult and historically hard-to-treat cancer. It is our fundamental duty to deliver more cures and meaningful treatments to patients as quickly as possible,” Acting FDA Commissioner Kyle Diamantras, J.D., said in an FDA press release. “I am immensely proud of the dedicated FDA scientists whose fast, thorough review and relentless commitments made this groundbreaking milestone a reality.”

Patients who choose the option to take the medication have been found to live an average of 13.2 months, while those choosing chemotherapy only live for an average of about 6.7 months. The side effects of the medication can include a skin rash, mouth sores, diarrhea and other digestive issues. 

One of the things that makes pancreatic cancer difficult to address is the fact that it often isn’t detected until it starts spreading to other organs. As for the cost, a one-month supply would be approximately $39,800, according to CBS News.

Dealing with Grief and Secondary Losses

The release of this new medication comes on the heels of the death of Country Music icon Dolly Parton. Cancer reportedly took her life, but the type of cancer hasn’t been specified. Parton’s sister, Stella Parton, noted in her tribute to Dolly that she was the type of person who was always thinking of others right up to the very end.

“She sold me recently that if there was no hope for her, she would still allow her medical team to try experimental drugs in the hope of helping others in the future. My sister was always thinking of others,” Stella wrote on her Facebook page, which was picked up by The Guardian.

Losing a close loved one is a very painful emotional challenge. When Parton’s husband of 59 years passed away in March last year, she told "Today" in an interview picked up by People that, “I get very emotional when people bring it up,” and that losing him was a “big adjustment,” because of needing to “change patterns and habits.” Those changes in patterns and habits are often referred to as “secondary losses” by grief counselors.

Walking through the loss of a loved one isn’t something that people affected by that loss should have to do alone. A supportive community of friends, and, if possible, a supportive faith community, are extremely important for healthy emotional recovery. One nationwide support group to which people can reach out is GriefShare.org. Another great resource is the counseling referral network service at the Focus on the Family website.

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Marco VDM

Elizabeth Delaney has been a freelance content writer for over 20 years and has enjoyed having her prose published in both the non-fiction and fiction markets. She has written various types of content, including Christian articles, healthy lifestyle, blog posts, business topics, news articles, product descriptions, and some fiction. She is also a singer-songwriter-musician. When she is not busy with writing or music, she enjoys spending time with friends or family and doing fun social activities such as hiking, swing dancing, concerts, and other activities.