Cancer Patients in Canada Face High Out-of-Pocket Costs: Report

Cancer patients in Canada are facing significant out-of-pocket expenses, according to the Canadian Cancer Society. While hospital costs such as surgery and chemotherapy are covered by the government, the average cancer patient still pays about $33,000 over the course of their lifetime.

These costs include out-of-pocket expenses for prescribed medications, transportation to and from the hospital, accommodation, and lost income during treatment. Physicians and health policy experts note that these financial burdens make coping with the disease even more difficult.

The report estimates that in 2024, people living with cancer and their caregivers in Canada will spend a total of $37.7 billion.