It's the best weapon against many forms of cancer, but the side effects of chemotherapy, in it's traditional IV form, were so debilitating the pharmaceutical industry spent years developing pill forms of these powerful drugs. There's still one major obstacle – cost.

State lawmakers have passed a bill written to make oral chemotherapy more affordable. The legislation still needs to signed by the governor.

It may not look like much, but for some, they’re really a life saver.

"The pill is so much better,” said Darlene Maier. "Without it my cancer would probably grow out of control."

In 2004, Darlene was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. She underwent traditional intravenous chemotherapy three times.

"You get so depressed."

Three times the cancer came back.

"Every single time you go through it, you get a little bit weaker,” said Darlene.

To help Darlene tolerate continued treatment, doctors at Rochester's Wilmot Cancer Center prescribed Darlene a new oral form of chemotherapy.

“They’re as effective and in some cases their even more effective than traditional chemotherapy drugs,” said Dr. Alok Khorana of the University of Rochester Medical Center.

Effective, but more expensive. Darlene's monthly prescription medications retailed at more than $7,000.

"That shocked me,” said Darlene.

Darlene's insurance company did cover the cost, but she feared the company would eventually drop her.

"I prayed that they wouldn't, but I couldn't see why they wouldn't after a while. That's a lot of money,” said Darlene.

So much money that some insurance companies are refusing to cover it. Others are only covering 70 to 80 percent of the cost.

"Well, if the drug costs $3,000 to $4,000 a month. 20 percent of that is a big sum of money for our cancer patients,” said Khorana.

First the state Senate and then the Assembly passed legislation that would require full coverage. The New York Health Plan Association opposes the bill because it believes it would drive up health insurance premiums.

"Will it have an impact? It very well may, but really this is about saving lives. This is about people having quality access and why should the cost differential be so significant simply because of the format that the drug is delivered," said Matt Flanagan, regional VP of the American Cancer Society.
"I don't have the nausea. I don't have the hair loss,” said Darlene.

After fighting cancer for seven years, Darlene says she’s too weak to go back to traditional treatments.

“I don't know how much the body can take, to be honest with you."