Nearly quarter of Canadian cancer patients hit with extra expenses: Survey

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About a quarter of Canadian cancer patients are hit with out-of-pocket expenses due to treatment despite receiving public health care.

Of that group, 40% said it was difficult to save money for retirement.

That’s according to new data from the Angus Reid Institute, which found 23% of Canadians diagnosed with cancer reported facing “substantial out-of-pocket costs,” which led to difficulty making ends meet.

The online survey, in partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society, also found 21% of cancer patients said it was difficult to pay household expenses, while 17% reported problems paying rent and 13% had issues with mortgage payments.

Besides the extra expenses, nearly a third (31%) reported needing “significant unpaid time off” following a cancer diagnosis, while 7% said the diagnosis cost themself or a loved one career advancement opportunities.

“Factoring in difficulties such as the career setbacks and job loss, as well as struggles and delays with accessing diagnosis, treatment and care, more than one-third (37%) of those personally diagnosed with cancer have faced challenging or very challenging treatment journeys,” the report said.

Other key findings of the survey revealed those who have had cancer or are close to someone diagnosed with the disease said unpaid time off work or a lost job had a “major” negative effect on their or a close friend or family member’s mental health.

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More than half of Canadians believe their provincial government (38%) or the federal government (18%) should cover the out-of-pocket costs related to cancer care. Only 7% said the extra expenses should be paid for by the patient.

When asked how they would financially handle $260 a month in additional costs due to cancer treatments, more than three-quarters (77%) of respondents who have not been diagnosed said it would be difficult for them to save for retirement.

Of that group, nearly half of the respondents told the pollster that additional costs of cancer treatment would make covering rent (44%) or their mortgage (45%) difficult.

The online survey was conducted between Jan. 10 and Jan. 17 among a representative randomized sample of 2,044 Canadian adults who are members of Angus Reid Forum.