People with cancer in Canada face nearly $33,000 in out-of-pocket costs and lost income during treatment and recovery, according to a report released Monday by the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS).
The report, titled Canadian Cancer Statistics: A 2024 Special Report on the Economic Impact of Cancer in Canada, provides a detailed analysis of the economic impact of cancer on both patients and the health care system.
The study reveals that people with cancer and their caregivers will pay 20% of total cancer-related costs in Canada, or approximately $7.5 billion this year.
This amount is expected to increase to $8.8 billion annually within 10 years, due to inflation and the increase in the aging population.
“Cancer has incredibly high costs. It is unacceptable that such a large portion of the costs fall on people with cancer and their families,” says CCS Director of Surveillance Jennifer Gillis.
“This report shows the scale of these costs. Faced with these new data, we must ask ourselves what more we can do to support Canadians at a time when they should be devoting all their energies to their health and recovery,” she continued in a press release. .
Some patients would choose to delay or sacrifice treatments due to associated costs. According to the report, these financial constraints can reduce the chances of achieving good health outcomes.
Those who must reduce their work hours or leave their jobs due to illness, as well as caregivers who must take leave, could risk losing health insurance and experiencing a loss of essential income.
People from low-income households or those on a fixed income are particularly affected, according to the SCC.
Additionally, people in rural and remote communities, who must travel far from home to receive needed care, face additional transportation costs.
According to recent data from MNP Ltd., more than 50% of Canadians have less than $200 at the end of the month after paying their bills.
Government assistance
The SCC is calling for government intervention to reduce the costs that people with cancer must pay.
The company is calling in particular for lower costs for cancer drugs, a refundable tax credit for caregivers, improved job-protected leave and more support for travel and accommodation.
“We live in a country with a universal healthcare system. However, the bill is still very high for people with cancer, underlines the senior manager of public interest defense at the SCC, David Raynaud. This is a systemic and social problem, which cannot be solved in silos. We know that finding a solution is a complex task, but there are choices available to governments to reduce the costs that weigh so heavily on people.”
