Living in Pink The Financial Challenges of Breast Cancer

By: Kaitlyn Jaeger

Living in Pink The Financial Challenges of Breast Cancer

1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime

American Cancer Society

40%

will have trouble paying health care costs

EverydayHealth.com

Out of those women diagnosed with breast cancer,

Why?

$$$Breast Cancer Is Expensive

In 2006, the American public paid

$104.1 Billion with the majority of that money going toward breast cancer treatment

EDailyFinance.com

For individual patients, the cost for breast cancer treatment varies, but the overall cost can top

$300,000or more for severe cases

EverydayHealth.com

This doesn’t include out-of-pocket costs like:

Time Off from Work Cosmetic Costs

Transportation Costs Child Care Nutrition Costs

EverydayHealth.com

ChecktheBreast.com

$$$These additional expenses may cost more than

$1,500 per month

Because of the high costs

associated with breast cancer, patients are:

Cutting Prescriptions

Not Going to the Doctor

Not Receiving Preventive Services

EverydayHealth.com

Whether you have insurance or not, breast cancer is expensive, but there are ways

you can lower your costs.

How?

Develop a Budget

Make a list of your monthly expenses

Try to find areas that you can cut back and determine areas you’ll need help financially

BreastCancer.org

Talk to Your Doctor

BreastCancer.org

Your doctor is an excellent resource for financial assistance. He or she may be able to help you:

Set up a payment plan

Obtain funding through the hospital

Find local organizations that offer financial assistance

Find out if you are eligible for any clincial trials

Seek Out Local Agencies and Nonprofits

Throughout the United States, there are government agencies and nonprofit organizations that offer financial assistance to those affected by breast cancer. Do a simple online search and see what organizations are located in your area. They may be able to help you find the assistance and support you need.

ChecktheBreast.com

References

American Cancer Society (2012). The cost of cancer treatment. Retrieved from http://www.can

cer.org/treatment/findingandpayingfortreatment/managinginsur

anceissues/the-cost-of-cancer-treatment

BreastCancer.org (2012). Retrieved from http://www.breastcancer.org/tips

Check the Breast (2012). How much does breast cancer treatment cost? Retrieved from http://www.

checkthebreast.com/faq-breast-cancer/how-much-does-breast-cancer-treatment-cost.html

Nance-Nash, S. (2011). Breast cancer’s financial toll: The high cost of fighting for your life. Retrieved

from http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/10/05/breast-cancers-finan

cial-toll-the-high-cost-of-fighting-for-yo/

Vann, M. (2010). Coping with the cost of breast cancer. Retrieved from http://www.everyday

health.com/breast-cancer-/coping-with-the-cost-of-breast-cancer.aspx