When your doctor tells you that you have breast cancer, it can feel like a huge blow to your head. From that moment on, your whole life changes. Along with the fear, sadness, and anxiety of the disease, you have to deal with another big problem that many people don't think about. That is the cost of these treatments. This can sometimes be more than the stress of the disease itself. But don't worry, you don't have to go through this journey alone. Today, we'll talk about ways to help you manage these costs.
What are the sources of expenses?
The breast cancer treatment process is not something that can be completed in a single day. Therefore, the costs can add up unexpectedly. These costs can be divided into two main parts.
| Expense type | Examples and descriptions |
|---|---|
| Direct Medical Costs | These are costs directly related to treatment. For example, co-pays, deductibles, certain medications, physical therapy after surgery, and mental health therapy to manage the stress of the current situation. |
| Indirect Costs | These are the expenses that add up to a large sum of money. Think about things like travel costs to and from the hospital, parking fees, wigs or scarves to use when hair is lost due to treatment, sometimes special nutritional foods, income lost when you can't go to work during treatment, and accommodation costs if you come from a distant region to a city like Colombo for treatment. |
Some complementary therapies, such as acupuncture , can help reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, such as nausea and fatigue. However, these also come at an additional cost.
"These costs can add up to an unimaginable burden," so it's important to be aware of this in advance.
Don't be ashamed to ask for help.
This is the most important thing. Trying to do everything alone in such a difficult time and being ashamed to ask for help is the biggest injustice you can do to yourself. Asking for help is not a weakness, it is a strength. There are institutions and people in our country who know how expensive cancer treatment is and are willing to help you.
Who can I ask for help from?
- Hospital Social Worker: There is a social worker at the government hospital (e.g. Maharagama Apeksha Hospital) or private hospital where you are receiving treatment. They can provide you with information about ways to obtain financial assistance and about organizations that provide assistance.
- Doctors and nurses: Tell your doctor or nurse about this. Some drug companies offer patient assistance programs. You can get information about these through them.
- President's Fund: Financial assistance is available from the President's Fund for some expensive treatments and surgeries . Ask the hospital about how to apply.
- Cancer Support Foundations in Sri Lanka: There are several foundations and voluntary organizations that help cancer patients in our country. Look for these institutions online or through the hospital.
Other practical solutions
Think about clinical trials
Clinical trials are medical studies of new drugs or treatments. If you are willing to participate in such a study, you may be able to get many of the tests and treatments for free. However, this is not for everyone. Before making a decision, be sure to talk to your doctor about whether a ``Clinical Trial`` is right for you and what the pros and cons are.
Plan your chemo treatment
If you are employed, especially if you are a daily wage earner, it is very important to plan your chemotherapy treatment. If you have the weekend off, schedule your chemotherapy for Friday afternoon. In most cases, you will recover from the side effects of the treatment on Saturday and Sunday and be able to return to work on Monday or Tuesday. This will help you avoid lost time off and income.
“Financial Toxicity” and a guide
Doctors today call the excessive stress and anxiety caused by the cost of treatment “Financial Toxicity.” It is as much a mental burden as the illness itself. A large percentage of breast cancer patients suffer from this condition.
No matter how much you plan your finances, it's worth getting expert help at a time like this. The hospital social workers we talked about earlier are like "navigators." They can help you navigate the system. They can tell you everything you need to know about things like what government benefits are available if you don't have insurance, how to get help, and more.
The most important thing is to start making your financial plan as soon as you start cancer treatment . Write down all your expenses. Choose the most important bills to pay.
You may have cancer, but don't let the costs of living take over your life. With proper planning and seeking help, you can overcome this challenge.
Take-Home Message
- Breast cancer treatment can have unexpected direct and indirect costs. Be aware of this in advance.
- If you're struggling financially, never be ashamed to ask for help. That's your strength.
- Your doctor and the hospital social worker are your best friends on this journey. Talk openly with them.
- If you are a working person, plan your days for treatments like chemotherapy wisely to minimize loss of income.
- Make a plan for the costs as soon as you start treatment. This can help prevent unnecessary stress.
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