By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: The Financial Hardship of Cancer
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Specialties > The Financial Hardship of Cancer
Specialties

The Financial Hardship of Cancer

Andrew Schorr
Andrew Schorr
Share
3 Min Read
Image
SHARE

Image

Image

When you are diagnosed with cancer your life is put on full stop. It may be for a moment, or an hour, or much longer. Depending upon the diagnosis and treatment plan, your living situation, and your emotional state, you may rebound quickly or not at all. My experience has been, for sure, that you and your family will take a financial hit. There is a very clear and sometimes devastating financial hardship when you are diagnosed with cancer.

bio_veena-shankaran_119x155_aI got to thinking about this as I recently interviewed Dr. Veena Shankaran from the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Dr. Shankaran has received a research grant to study the financial hardships experienced across the US by families coping with a diagnosis of advanced colorectal cancer. This is just the beginning of an effort to, as she explains, “understand the whole patient” and in terms far beyond their tumor type or whether it has spread. Have patients had to give up their jobs? Have they lost their retirements? Have they gone into bankruptcy? Too often the answer is yes.

More Read

skin care
How to Build a Perfect Skin Care Routine
Why Medicare Cuts Will Quietly Kill Seniors
3 Major Ways Cancer Care Has Improved
When Should You Consider Getting Neurological Care At Home?
Physician Ratings: One Orthopedic Doctor’s Experience

My own experience has been this: Even if you have grade A insurance to cover doctor and hospital bills, prescriptions, other treatments and tests, you and your loved ones lose financial strength because all of you are less productive, or not productive at all. You may need to pay people to provide services for you and your family and you may need emotional support at an extra cost. You may have travel costs that are extraordinary and not reimbursed. And what if you have poor or no insurance? It’s even worse.

Medicines are getting more expensive, especially with new treatments for cancer. Yes, there are breakthroughs and they may well keep you alive and help you to live well. That’s something we must celebrate. But the financial side of cancer remains tough, and with new medicines, and even combinations of new medicines, may get even tougher. We need to find some solutions that keep pace with this so people touched by cancer can concentrate on getting well.

I welcome your comments.

Wishing you and your family the best of health!

Andrew

image: finance/shutterstock

TAGGED:cancer
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

a woman walking on the hallway
6 Easy Healthcare Ways to Sit Less and Move More Every Day
Health
September 9, 2025
Clinical Expertise
Healthcare at a Crossroads: Why Leadership Matters More Than Ever
Global Healthcare
September 9, 2025
travel nurse in north carolina
Balancing Speed and Scope: Choosing the Nursing Degree That Fits Your Goals
Nursing
September 1, 2025
intimacy
How to Keep Intimacy Comfortable as You Age
Relationship and Lifestyle Senior Care
September 1, 2025

You Might also Like

CardiologyMedical DevicesMedical InnovationsTechnology

The Value And Criticism Of Robot-Assisted Heart Surgery

May 15, 2019

Radiation Dose Monitoring Trends in the U.S. and Abroad [VIDEO]

September 15, 2014
pharmacist
NewsSpecialties

Pharmacy Board Needs Non-Pharmacist Majority

July 12, 2013
Aesthetic Practitioner
SkinSpecialties

5 Tips for Dealing with Difficult Clients As An Aesthetic Practitioner

April 28, 2021
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?