The Financial Burden of Cancer in Canada

Patients Shoulder an Average of $33K in Costs

A recent report highlights a stark reality faced by cancer patients in Canada: the financial toll of cancer extends far beyond medical treatments. On average, individuals with cancer incur nearly $33,000 in out-of-pocket expenses during their lifetimes, encompassing lost income, travel costs, and other indirect financial burdens. For many, these expenses are compounded by the emotional and physical challenges of battling the disease.

Natalie’s Journey: A Personal Glimpse Into the Costs of Cancer

Natalie Lipschultz, a 39-year-old resident of Burnaby, B.C., provides a human face to these statistics. Diagnosed with stage three colorectal cancer in 2019 at just 34 years old, Lipschultz estimates her cancer journey has cost her over $20,000 in the past six years.

Her financial challenges were exacerbated when she was terminated from her job during chemotherapy in early 2020. Despite receiving severance and retaining health benefits, balancing treatment and work proved overwhelming. “The health care system failed me, my work failed me, and I think I failed myself a little bit, too,” Lipschultz reflects.

The Financial Reality of Cancer in Canada

While Canada’s publicly funded health-care system covers many hospital-based treatments like chemotherapy and radiation, patients are often responsible for take-home medications, travel to treatment centers, and other non-medical costs. For many, these expenses present insurmountable challenges:

• Out-of-Pocket Costs: Patients and caregivers collectively shoulder approximately $7.5 billion annually—20% of the total cancer-related costs in Canada.
• Income Losses: Cancer treatment often requires significant time off work, further straining financial resources.
• Geographic Disparities: Patients in rural or remote areas face additional travel and accommodation expenses, widening the equity gap in access to care.

The Cost of Care: Implications for Patients

For patients like Lipschultz, these financial burdens add to an already arduous journey. After her cancer metastasized to her liver in 2022, her expenses increased, compounded by the challenges of raising a young child. She considers herself fortunate to have family support but acknowledges that not everyone is as lucky.

According to a 2024 study in Current Oncology, individuals with annual family incomes below $50,000 are disproportionately affected, often forgoing essential care due to financial strain. These patients report spending an average of 34% of their monthly income on cancer-related expenses.

Dr. Lisa Hicks, a malignant hematologist at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, emphasizes that financial stress frequently impacts patients’ treatment decisions and outcomes. “Imagine a new job that doesn’t pay,” Hicks says, noting that financial strain is a full-time burden for many.

Policy Gaps: Advocates Call for Action

The Canadian Cancer Society’s recent report underscores the need for systemic changes to alleviate the financial strain on patients. Key recommendations include:

• Universal Coverage for Take-Home Cancer Drugs: Currently, access varies across provinces, with full coverage provided in some regions but significant gaps in others.
• Travel and Accommodation Assistance: Federal programs addressing these costs are inconsistent and often inadequate.
• Revised Tax Credits for Caregivers: Advocates suggest modifications to include full-time caregivers who cannot work while supporting a loved one through treatment.

Looking Ahead: Building a Fairer System

The financial burden of cancer is projected to increase by nearly 20% over the next decade, driven by population growth, aging, and improved survival rates. Addressing these disparities requires immediate action from policymakers to ensure equitable access to care.

For Lipschultz, who remains cancer-free today, the fight isn’t over. If her cancer recurs, the medications she would need could cost more than $10,000 per month—expenses not covered by private or provincial insurance. “We’re trying to live longer and healthier lives, but the costs are adding up. It’s time for decision-makers to acknowledge not only the emotional toll of cancer but the financial one as well,” she says.

Closing Thoughts

As Canada grapples with the rising costs of cancer care, stories like Lipschultz’s serve as a reminder of the human impact behind the numbers. By addressing gaps in coverage and support, we can move toward a system that prioritizes not just survival, but the quality of life for every patient.