Canadian cancer patients facing roughly $33K in costs: report

A new report is highlighting the significant financial burden facing those who have received a cancer diagnosis.

According to the Canadian Cancer Society, the average Canadian cancer patient will deal with roughly $33,000 in costs in their lifetime, including out-of-pocket expenses and lost income.

These expenses can include prescription drugs, the cost of travel, and other items such as prosthetics and ostomy supplies.

“These costs come from a variety of different places, and they look different for different people and for different types of diagnosis,” said Kelly Wilson Cull, director of advocacy with the Canadian Cancer Society.

Wilson Cull noted that cancer may impact all Canadians, but it does not impact them equally as it can be especially difficult for those with a low-income or who live in rural or remote areas.

She added that this financial burden can impact cancer outcomes.

“All of these costs can really add up and can really impact some of the choices that people make with respect to cancer treatment,” she said in an interview on Monday.

“Sometimes that can come even in the form of choosing to delay your care or choosing to forego some of the aspects of your cancer care.”

Wilson Cull said the Canadian Cancer Society hopes this report will serve as a call to action to all levels of government.

She added that governments can help through things like policy development, making medications more affordable, aiding in the cost of travel to and from treatment, and helping with the financial burden of caregiving.

- With files from CTV’s Jon Hendricks.