There is a first ever prostate cancer vaccine called Provenge. This drug actually uses the bodies own immune system to fight off the cancer. This vaccine roughly cost the patient $23,000 a month and around 4 treatments are needed.  As far as new drugs go this drug is fairly "safe", typical flu like symptoms can arise with this which is mild compared to some of the new drugs that are on the market today. This drug is used mostly in advanced stages of prostate cancer and through clinical trails the patients that have benefited from it say that the cost is worth every penny if they can live a little longer.  The average life extension is by 4 months.  That's the average. Most people that have prostate cancer are of retirement age and live with some sort of assistance from the government.   I was just wondering who really foots the bill?