A cancer diagnosis can also be a 'financial double-whammy.' Here's what advocates want to change
Cancer society calls on next federal government to help Canadians affected by cancer costs
This story is part of CBC Health's Second Opinion, a weekly analysis of health and medical science news emailed to subscribers on Saturday mornings. If you haven't subscribed yet, you can do that by clicking here.
A quarter of a million Canadians are diagnosed with cancer every year.
When that happens, says Stephen Piazza, director of advocacy for the Canadian Cancer Society, people need to focus on their treatment plan and telling family members — not budgeting for medical expenses.
"The last thing you need is to then think about how do I balance my chequebook this month?" said Piazza.
But a survey conducted for the society suggested about one in five cancer patients found it difficult to pay household expenses, and 40 per cent saw their retirement savings suffer.
People accessing cancer care may struggle to afford everyday housing or rent increases on top of new costs related to treatment.
While many of the costs associated with treatment are covered by provincial health plans or private insurance, many aren't.
Costs include devices, physiotherapy, and travel to clinics paid for by Canadians who are living with cancer, are in remission, or are no longer being actively treated. The cancer society's December 2024 report estimated that adds up to nearly $33,000 on average over a patient's lifetime.
Along with lost income due to time off work, it's a "double-whammy," say experts.
That's why this federal election, the Canadian Cancer Society is calling for tax changes and other solutions to boost affordability.
What the society proposes
In general, Piazza said Canadians are fortunate to be able to access high quality cancer care.
But cost is a barrier that leaves a huge psychological impact on people, he said, when cancer care should be truly universal.
In Canada's western provinces and northern territories, take-home cancer drugs and those administered in the hospital are both covered, but that's not the case in Ontario and the Atlantic provinces for oral cancer medication, the society said. In Quebec, anyone without private insurance pays a public insurance premium after which take-home cancer medications are fully covered.
The society said the next federal government can make cancer care more affordable in several ways:
- Change the Canada caregiver credit, which can be claimed by people who support their spouse or other family member with physical or mental impairment, to make it refundable.
- Expand financial support programs.
- Reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Piazza said if the caregiver tax credit were refundable, the patient receives money back even if they owe taxes, which helps people living in the lowest-income bracket pay for services outside of the hospital.
Cancer's financial double whammy
Michael Prince, a professor of social policy at the University of Victoria, welcomed the suggested change to the caregiver tax credit.
The individual and their family may not only see a loss of earnings during cancer, but they're also incurring out-of-pocket expenses for essential medications and services.
"It's kind of a double whammy," Prince said.
Prince notes someone else in the family may also have to cut back on their working hours to support the individual.
As middle-income Canadians talk about affordability, Prince said those with lower income and people with disabilities continue to struggle. He's in favour of making the credit refundable to help them.
Federal party tax credit commitments
A spokesperson for the Canadian Cancer Society said the federal Conservative and Green parties committed to making the Canada caregiver tax credit refundable and included it in the costing of their platforms.
The Bloc Québecois did not include that commitment in its platform, but in its response to the society's questionnaire on the topic, it said "The Bloc Québécois is committed to reviewing the tax credit for caregivers so that it becomes refundable."
The Liberal Party did not commit specifically to making the Canada caregiver credit refundable, but did commit to continue to advance its National Caregiving Strategy, which includes "simplified and increased access to government benefits and services, and better coordinating on emotional, financial, and practical support with the provinces and territories."
The NDP did not make any specific commitments regarding financial supports for caregivers in its platform, although a spokesperson told CBC News that the party supports the call.
Broaden view of accommodations, disability expert says
Considering about a quarter of adults or eight million Canadians self-identify as having a disability, according to Statistics Canada, Prince also suggests shifting away from thinking of workplace accommodations as special breaks.
Instead of assuming only a segment of the population needs accommodations, consider including everyone trying to find work-life balance work or working remotely.
"It's most workers," Prince said.
Employers, unions and insurance providers could also help people after their cancer treatment ends.
For example, the Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan provides its members with one-on-one guidance from oncology nurses, connections to oncologists for second opinions and specialized counsellors providing psychological support and coping strategies.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
