The National Cancer Institute (NCI) estimated that in 2010 over 207,000 women and almost 2,000 men would be diagnosed with breast cancer. These new cases would add to the 2.5 million women already living with the disease in the United States. The pervasiveness of the disease is a financial burden to society as a whole. According to NCI, the national cost of breast cancer care in 2010 for women only was $16.5 billion. This figure only accounts for the medical costs in the initial and final phases of treatment; it does not include other expenses such as lost productivity which if considered would significantly increase the financial burden of breast cancer to all Americans.
But, treating breast cancer is not only an economic issue for the country. It often causes financial strains for patients and their families. According to the California Breast Cancer Research Project the mean cost for treating the disease across all women is over $31,000 and in an October 2007 ABC News report Dr. Stephen Edge, medical director of the Breast Center at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y. states that “the overall cost for treating a typical breast cancer will top $50,000 or even $100,000." Even for patients with health insurance the costs of treatment can be significant.
Financial Strain of Cancer
In a 2006 study conducted by USA Today, the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Harvard School of Public Health, 25 percent of families affected by cancer said that the patient used all or most of their savings, and one in eight said they borrowed money from relatives. The study found that having health insurance throughout treatment limited but did not eliminate the financial consequences of a cancer diagnosis – one-fifth still used up all or most of their savings, 10 percent borrowed money from relatives and nine percent were contacted by a collection agency.
For those without insurance the financial burden was even greater. Respondents in this group were five times more likely to delay or forgo treatment, 50 percent used all or most of their savings, 40 percent were unable to pay for basic necessities, and six percent filed for personal bankruptcy.
National Breast Cancer Aid Organizations
The number of patients in need of financial assistance is growing. According to Shirley Freifeld, the president and co-founder of the Breast Cancer Emergency Aid Foundation (BCEAF), the need for help has increased drastically. “When we started BCEAF most of our clients were from blue-collar backgrounds or were uninsured, but in recent years we’ve seen the need for aid spread across socioeconomic groups due to job or insurance loss, limited insurance, or refusal of insurance providers to cover aspects of treatment.” For those experiencing economic hardship after being diagnosed with breast cancer there are a number of national organizations that provide financial assistance.
AvonCARES - Offers limited financial assistance to low income, uninsured, under-insured and under-served women for home care, childcare and transportation. For more information call CancerCare at 1-800-813-HOPE (4673).
Linking A.R.M.S.™ - A partnership between CancerCare and Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the program provides limited financial assistance for hormonal and oral chemotherapy, pain and anti-nausea medication, lymphedema supplies and durable medical equipment. Contact CancerCare at 1-800-813-HOPE (4673) for more information.
Co-Pay Relief Program (CPR) - A partnership between Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the Patient Advocate Foundation, CPR provides direct financial assistance for pharmaceutical drug co-payments to qualified insured patients, including those with Medicare Part D. Visit CPR to learn more.
American Breast Cancer Foundation (ABCF) - ABCF is the only national breast cancer organization that provides direct financial support to uninsured and under-served patients for the screening, diagnosis, treatment and survival of breast cancer. The group’s Key to Life Breast Cancer Assistance Program provides financial aid for emergency treatment, wigs, prostheses and medications.
There are also several national groups that provide transportation and lodging assistance for those that need to travel long distances for treatment. A listing is available through Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Regional Breast Cancer Financial Assistance Organizations
In addition to the above national groups, there are a number of regional ones that offer additional financial support to breast cancer patients. These organizations often cover things that the national ones do not, therefore helping those in need pay for more expenses. Freifeld says that the biggest request to BCEAF is for help paying for food, followed by rent and electric bills.
Breast Cancer Angels - Breast Cancer Angels provides financial support to more than 400 patients in Southern California each year. Aid is offered to men and women with long-term metastatic breast cancer and covers food, emergency housing costs, clothing and other supplies for the client’s children, medical co-pays and cobra, home health care and final expenses, second opinions and scholarships for children affected by a parents illness.
Breast Cancer Emergency Aid Foundation (BCEAF) - BCEAF provides direct financial assistance for non-medical expenses for patients currently undergoing radiation, chemotherapy, reconstruction or mastectomy in Conn., N.J., N.Y., Mass., and Pa. Founded by two survivors, the group is a 2010 and 2011 grantee of Susan G. Komen for the Cure Northern New Jersey and has distributed $280,000 to date.
Breast Cancer Fund of Ohio - Formed by survivors, the organization provides emergency financial assistance to breast cancer patients. Expenses covered include living, mental health services, treatment, prescriptions, co-pays and participation in clinical trials.
Ethel Precht HOPE Breast Cancer 3K - One hundred percent of the proceeds from this walk go towards providing breast cancer survivors in Cameron and Calcasieu Parishes in Louisiana with help purchasing wigs, prostheses or other items not covered by insurance.
JD Breast Cancer Foundation - JD Breast Cancer Foundation provides financial assistance for basic living expenses to qualified Northeast Ohio residents undergoing breast cancer treatment.
Pretty in Pink Foundation - The foundation provides financial aid to uninsured and under-insured breast cancer patients in North Carolina so that they can get quality, life-saving medical treatment regardless of their ability to pay.
Sandy B. Muller Breast Cancer Foundation - This organization offers patients in Miami-Dade County, Fla., who have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and are in treatment, with financial assistance for mortgage and rent payments, medical insurance premiums, transportation costs to and from doctor appointments, child care payments, food and other basic living expenses.
A breast cancer diagnosis creates emotional stress and treatment can cause financial strain for many patients. Help is available to ease breast cancer’s financial burden. In addition to national and regional organizations that provide aid, many groups offer advice on managing the financial obligations of the disease. Visit the American Association for Cancer Research to find out how to get financial aid and advice. Patients should not suffer in silence; assistance is available to those in need.
Resources
Financial Aid for Cancer Patients
Breast Cancer Information Sources
Breast Cancer in Women: Causes, Risk Factors, and Symptoms
Sources
cancer.gov; National Cancer Institute; U.S. National Institutes of Health; Breast Cancer (accessed March 16, 2011)
cbcrp.org; California Breast Cancer Research Project (accessed March 16, 2011)
abcnews.go.com; Women Struggle With Breast Cancer Expenses; Katharine Stoel Gammon; Oct. 16, 2007 (accessed March 16, 2011)
kff.org; Kaiser Family Foundation; USA Today/Kaiser/Harvard Survey Highlights Problems in the Health Care System Through the Experiences of People With Cancer; November 20, 2006 (accessed March 17, 2011)
bceaf.org; Breast Cancer Emergency Aid Foundation; Shirley Freifeld (interviewed March 22, 2011)
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Jane Larkin - Jane was a commercial mortgage broker for hotels and held Six Sigma, advertising, marketing and public relations jobs in various ...
