opinion: the financial stress of cancer is real, but patients don’t have to face it alone
practical and informational support can significantly alleviate the financial burden of cancer.
3 minute read
despite publicly funded healthcare in ontario and alberta, families and individuals are struggling to keep up with the hidden cancer-related costs.
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colleen turney was divorced and in debt. she was made redundant, had just lost her father, and was diagnosed with rare eye cancer, all within weeks of each other. “i thought – how will i be able to afford all this financially? the whole system is completely overwhelming and expensive,” she says. “for instance, my prescription eyedrops cost $70 for a tiny bottle. some tests and ultrasounds weren’t covered by provincial healthcare, and as i could no longer drive, transportation was really expensive.”
cancer doesn’t just cost people their lives—it can also cost people their life savings.
in 2021, cancer-related costs in canada were $26.2 billion, with 30 per cent of these costs incurred by patients and their families. on average, cancer patients pay $253 per month for out-of-pocket costs related to their cancer diagnosis, with 30 per cent saying they would have to go into debt to pay for these out-of-pocket costs.
despite publicly funded healthcare in ontario and alberta, families and individuals are struggling to keep up with the hidden cancer-related costs, including drugs and treatments, home medical equipment, home care, nutritional supplements, transportation costs, parking, and childcare.
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in addition to increased expenses, a cancer diagnosis can impact a patient’s ability to work, resulting in a loss of income. with 34 per cent of monthly income estimated to be spent on cancer-related expenses, this places a devastating financial burden on cancer patients and that doesn’t even consider the financial burden placed on the caregiver. on average, it’s estimated that 26 per cent of caregivers take time off work to care for a person with cancer, losing an average of $2,402 in income per month.
sadly, this is the sobering reality for many canadians. on top of the already mental and physical stress of living with cancer, up to 40 per cent of cancer patients in canada report experiencing financial distress because of their diagnosis.
making financial support easier to talk about
wellspring cancer support (wellspring), a providor of free cancer support programs across canada, recognizes that cancer is one of the costliest conditions in canada and is trying to help without adding to the financial strain.
“hearing you have cancer is one of the hardest things you will ever hear in your life. when you add the pressure of money worries on top of that, it can feel unmanageable.,” says wellspring manager of financial and workplace programs, ilene shiller.
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wellspring is working with cancer patients and families through their money matters program, which aims to tackle financial toxicity through practical one-on-one assistance. participants work with a wellspring case manager to analyze their financial situation. in the initial meeting, the case manager will assess eligibility for financial resource programs and devise a plan for income replacement options and assistance with costs related to treatment. while many people require just one appointment, wellspring also provides ongoing case management for individuals with more complex situations.
“the money matters program was started because we saw that many people living with cancer didn’t realize the options that were available to them when it came to government, workplace, and community assistance and did not understand how the various programs fit together,” says ilene. “we help to not only identify available financial resources but also to complete the necessary application paperwork.”
discussing personal finances can be difficult and uncomfortable, so it’s important for patients to be able to discuss their financial issues in a safe and non-judgmental setting—across a variety of topics like the canadian pension plan, employment insurance and social assistance benefits, drug coverage, tax credits, returning to work after treatment, and disability insurance.
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“i wouldn’t have known any of this information without money matters,” colleen says. “it was like having a step-by-step manual about navigating every situation – it was an incredible support system that i needed at the time.”
practical and informational support can significantly alleviate the financial burden of cancer, leading to reduced anxiety and greater peace of mind for patients and families.
by addressing cancer-related costs, people like colleen can live better with cancer.
wellspring cancer support is a leading network of charities helping canadians live better with cancer. through our nationwide online platform and in-person centres in ontario and alberta, wellspring offers over 50 evidence-based programs covering the emotional, physical, and practical challenges of a cancer diagnosis. wellspring’s services are free of charge with no need for a medical referral. if you or your loved one has cancer, you need wellspring. learn more at wellspring.ca.
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