employment insurance provides benefits for 26 weeks, but at a very reduced portion of salary and not everyone qualifies. women typically stop working while they’re in treatment, so depending on their health coverage and personal finances, the crisis they’re experiencing can be financially tough on top of the emotional turmoil and uncertainty.
there can be additional expenses like the extra costs of traveling to the hospital and parking at the hospital. when someone has to go through 30 days of daily radiation and they live 300 km away from the breast cancer centre, they also need lodging for those 30 days. there are childcare needs and costs for medications and other items that are not covered like prosthetic bras and other equipment. some younger women may decide to freeze their eggs before chemotherapy with the plan to have a child. the drug therapy can damage the ovaries, causing them to stop releasing eggs and estrogen. it’s a long and complicated journey for many.
resources and support for breast cancer in canada
the leading associations representing breast cancer are:
connecting with organizations can help people and their families cope with the diagnosis of breast cancer. there’s a lot to learn about symptoms, treatment options and pressing issues about breast reconstruction surgery and, for younger women, having children. referral to a dedicated cancer clinic can also help empower patients with resources, counselling and expert advice.