the canadian government does a lot more testing on new drugs and therapies than do most countries. there are a bunch of drugs available in the US that aren't allowed in canada yet because they havent undergone sufficient study. many medications do however have very harmful sideeffects and yet they are still available. chemotherapy, while killing cancerous cells, also kills healthy cells. thats why patients sign waiver forms so that they know what they are getting themselves into if they do choose to take a drug or undergo therapy
It is so unfortunate that some people that go through chemo, go through all of it for nothing, and end up harming themselves more by going through it. Hopefully, someday there will be a safe and inexpensive cure for cancer.