ALMOST all Australians diagnosed with cancer are paying out-of-pocket costs, even when treated through the public health system, according to new national research.<\/p>\n
A study, conducted by Cancer Council Australia last year, found 99 per cent of respondents incurred personal expenses, with financial pressures arising from both direct medical costs and indirect expenses across every stage of the cancer journey.<\/p>\n
Loss of income or disruption to employment was the most common financial cost, affecting 38 per cent of respondents. Surgical expenses (24 per cent) and insurance gap payments (24 per cent) represented the largest out-of-pocket cost for nearly a quarter of respondents.<\/p>\n
Cancer Council supportive care committee chair, Dr Peter Diamond, said the findings showed the significant financial impact of cancer.<\/p>\n
“Each person’s experience of cancer is unique, shaped not only be their diagnosis and treatment, but by their family, work, income, where they live and access care, life circumstances, and many other factors,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Every Australian should be able to access high-quality cancer care, based on what best meets their needs, not what they can afford.<\/p>\n
“Financial wellbeing is an important part of overall wellbeing, and nobody should face poverty due to cancer.”<\/p>\n
The Cancer Council is this month joining with the McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer in calling for greater access to financial counselling services and broader government support for Australians affected by cancer.<\/p>\n
Dr Diamond said stronger action was needed to ensure patients were connected with help earlier in their diagnosis.<\/p>\n
“Financial burdens related to cancer care place significant pressure on people affected by cancer and their families at an already difficult time and are felt at every step,” he said.<\/p>\n
“It’s important that conversations about the financial impact of cancer begin early, and there is government action so more families are connected to financial assistance and support as soon as possible.”<\/p>\n
McCabe Centre director, Hayley Jones, said legal and financial challenges added to the burden of a diagnosis.<\/p>\n
“No one should be forced to navigate complex legal or financial hurdles on top of a cancer diagnosis,” she said.<\/p>\n
“In addition to out-of-pocket costs of treatment, too many people affected by cancer face costs and challenges related to their employment, insurance, social security supports or travel and childcare.<\/p>\n
“By properly addressing the legal and financial burdens people face during cancer, we can build a fairer system \u2013 one that gives every Australian the stability and support they need at a critical time in their lives.”<\/p>\n
Support is available for anyone currently affected by the costs of cancer via Cancer Council’s free and confidential information and support service on 13 11 20.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ALMOST all Australians diagnosed with cancer are paying out-of-pocket costs, even when treated through the public health system, according to new national research. A study, conducted by Cancer Council Australia last year, found 99 per cent of respondents incurred personal expenses, with financial pressures arising from both direct medical costs and indirect expenses across every […]<\/p>\n