Graeme Parsons (Financial Counsellor) and Chelsea Hughes (Manager, Supportive Care Programs)
Receiving a cancer diagnosis can impact many areas of your life. Depending on your situation, you may experience reduced income, extra costs, and changes to your financial plans and goals.
These unexpected costs often amount to upwards of $5,000 per year.
An estimated 60 per cent of people affected by cancer face legal and financial challenges in addition to their health concerns.
After being diagnosed with head and neck cancer in 2021, Shepparton local Ian was surprised by how many hidden costs built up throughout and after his treatment.
“It’s almost a spectrum,” he says. “There’s all these things along the line that you’ve got to take into consideration… it adds up, on top of everything else.”
At a time when you need to focus on treatment and recovery, financial stress can add to the worry of being diagnosed with cancer and may feel overwhelming.
“It hits you and there you are,” says Ian. “Cancer doesn’t discriminate, no matter how much money you do or do not have.”
Many Victorians with cancer, including their family members, have struggled while navigating the health system and dealing with cost-of-living pressures, but support is available.
Cancer Council Victoria’s Financial Counselling Program saw an increase of 48 per cent in referrals from 2023 to 2024.
After calling, many people say their worries eased once they realised there was support available to help them manage the financial costs associated with cancer.
“The financial counsellor’s knowledge, professional advice and compassion helped us through so much paperwork and relieved so much distress,” said one caller who accessed our Financial Counselling Program.
“It was comforting to have him on board when we were at our most vulnerable state of mind and lacked the knowledge of what to do.”
Access financial counselling
Our Financial Counselling Program provides access to a financial counsellor who can provide practical advice and guidance to help manage the cost associated with a cancer diagnosis.
They can help you with public and private healthcare, government benefits, superannuation, insurance, managing out-of-pocket costs, credit and debt issues. The service is confidential, independent and free for all Victorians.
If you are finding it hard to meet the costs associated with your cancer diagnosis, call 13 11 20 and speak to a health professional who can refer you to a financial counsellor for the support you need.
You may also find this information about managing cancer and your finances or cancer and work helpful.
Get support