“Access to cancer services should not be influenced by your personal circumstances. It shouldn’t depend on where you live, your age, the type of cancer you’ve been diagnosed with or your financial situation. Everyone deserves access to cancer treatment.” - Adjunct Prof. Amanda Piper, Head of Cancer Strategy.
Yet, an estimated 60 per cent of people affected by cancer face legal and financial challenges in addition to their health concerns.
Despite Australia’s universal healthcare system, cancer patients face many unexpected hidden costs, often upwards of $5,000 per year, seriously impacting them and their families.
“Financial stress can lead to other emotional issues, which on top of a cancer diagnosis is a lot to deal with,” said Amanda. “At a time when people should be focussed on their health, there are often extra and unavoidable costs that can become a real source of stress and worry.”
Cancer Council Victoria’s financial counselling services saw an increase of 48 per cent in referrals from 2023 to 2024.
“Many of these people stated their worries eased once they realised there was support available to help them manage the financial costs associated with cancer.”
Amanda and her team have developed an advocacy roadmap to tackle financial costs of cancer at the state-level. Roadmap priorities include increasing access to financial information, timely referrals for financial support, improving data on financial costs of cancer and increasing availability of Victorian Government subsidies and support programs, such as the Patient Travel and Assistance Scheme.
“A key priority for us is improving access to clear, practical information about the financial costs of cancer treatment and care. We’re particularly focused on regional Victoria where we are seeing the greatest inequity.”
“Despite the progress we’ve made, there is still more to be done to drive meaningful changes to the healthcare system and prevent financial distress for Victorians affected by cancer,” concluded Amanda.
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