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Cost of cancer crisis: 1 in 8 blood cancer patients missing, delaying or cancelling treatment because they can't afford it

Leukaemia Foundation

Interview Opportunities

Leukaemia Foundation CEO Chris Tanti /
Leukaemia Foundation Head of Research Bill Stavreski:
Our spokespersons can talk on the points raised in the media release regarding the financial burden of blood cancer on patients and families in Australia, in line with the start of Blood Cancer Month and launch of the Leukaemia Foundation's 'Cut the Cost of Cancer' campaign.

People with Lived Experience:
Our media team can endeavour to connect you with a local person in your area who has been diagnosed with blood cancer and impacted financially.

Audio for News Grabs: Download here

Contact the Leukaemia Foundation Media Team:
[email protected] or 0473 154 079. 

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Leukaemia Foundation launches national call to 'Cut the Cost of Cancer'

The Leukaemia Foundation today revealed alarming new research exposing that 1 in 8 Australians living with blood cancer are missing, delaying, or cancelling treatment^[i] because of financial pressures.

Marking the start of Blood Cancer Month (September), the Leukaemia Foundation’s new ‘Cut the Cost of Cancer’ campaign, highlights the hidden financial toll of blood cancer, while calling on the government to help reduce the crushing costs pushing patients and families to breaking point.

According to the Foundation’s CEO, Chris Tanti, 55^[ii] Australians are diagnosed with blood cancer every day and for many of those the shock of diagnosis is quickly followed by another devastating reality – how will they afford to get through it?

“Australians facing blood cancer are immediately thrown into a financial storm they never saw coming,” Mr Tanti said.

“They are forced to make impossible financial decisions at a time when their sole focus should be on treatment and recovery.

“No one should ever have to choose between getting the cancer treatment and care they need to survive and putting food on the table or paying their rent or mortgage – yet our research shows that is exactly what is happening.

“One in eight people with blood cancer are missing, delaying or cancelling treatment or care because they simply cannot afford to do both.”

For someone fighting blood cancer, delaying or missing treatment can have serious, life-threatening consequences. Blood cancers are among the most complex cancers to diagnose and treat, often progressing rapidly and requiring urgent, intensive and highly specialised care.

But at a time when accessing treatment can be critical, the financial burden of a blood cancer diagnosis can hit almost immediately. Patients and their families can face the double blow of reduced income alongside mounting costs for treatment, medication, travel, accommodation and everyday living expenses.

“Our research found that Australians with blood cancer are facing average annual out-of-pocket costs of $3,910, with some families reporting costs exceeding $20,000 a year,” Mr Tanti added.

“We’re increasingly hearing of people draining their savings, accessing superannuation, selling assets like cars, homes and heirlooms, and relying on family and friends to simply survive.

“It’s becoming clearer, that blood cancer doesn’t just cost lives – it costs livelihoods.”

For Adelaide man Stephen, financial distress has become his reality.

His blood cancer diagnosis ultimately forced him to retire from work, leaving him facing significant financial pressure and the devastating reality of having to miss, delay and cancel life-saving treatment because he could not afford it.

“Blood cancer financially devastated us,” Stephen said.

“I’ve had to rob Peter to pay Paul. I’m living fortnight to fortnight and dipping into my super just to keep up with rent, food, bills and fuel.

“I used what holiday and long service leave I had during treatment, and even though I’ve had great support from my family and the Leukaemia Foundation – they can only do so much.”

Stephen’s experience reflects a much broader financial burden revealed by the research.

Money worries negatively affect the health and recovery of 44 per cent of Australians with blood cancer with the financial impact not necessarily ending when treatment does.

Ongoing specialist appointments, long-term medications, rehabilitation, chronic side effects and a reduced capacity to work can leave people dealing with the financial consequences of their diagnosis for years.

Mr Tanti added, “We hear from people daily whose financial security has unravelled because of their diagnosis – and for some, that impact can be catastrophic within weeks.”

“Income can disappear almost overnight as patients stop work and loved ones step back from their jobs to provide care – but the bills keep coming.

“Then add the cost of getting to treatment, parking, accommodation or having to travel hundreds of kilometres for specialist care for those living in regional and rural areas. It is not difficult to understand how quickly families can find themselves in financial distress.”

The Leukaemia Foundation eases the financial burden of cancer by providing practical support to Australians diagnosed and their families including accommodation during treatment, transport and bill assistance, and emotional and mental health support – however acknowledges that more must be done to assist people doing it tough.

“Through our Cut the Cost of Cancer campaign, we’re calling on all Australians to support petitions urging state and territory governments to take practical action to help reduce the financial burden of cancer.”

“The specific calls vary across jurisdictions but broadly include better travel and accommodation subsidies for regional patients, caps on hospital parking costs, greater support when people must travel interstate for treatment, and more clinical and supportive services closer to where people live.”

Blood cancer does not discriminate. It affects children and their parents, people in the middle of their working lives, and older Australians who thought they were financially prepared for retirement.

With blood cancer incidence continuing to rise, the Leukaemia Foundation stresses that we need to act now. A person’s ability to access cancer treatment and care should never come down to their postcode or how much money they have in their bank account.

Help Cut the Cost of Cancer. Sign the petition at leukaemia.org.au and call on governments to provide better financial support for Australians impacted by cancer.

If you or someone you love is impacted by blood cancer, the Leukaemia Foundation is here to help. Call 1800 620 420 or visit our website for support.

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About the Leukaemia Foundation: The Leukaemia Foundation stands with Australia to help cure and conquer blood cancer – with care. Together, we are attacking every blood cancer, from every direction, in every way we can. We stand beside every Australian to be their voice and their someone-to-turn-to, fighting to get them access to the best care. We also accelerate research that is delivering rapid advancements in blood cancer diagnosis and treatments. Plus, we provide services and support that empower people living with any blood cancer to live well after diagnosis. You can learn more about the Leukaemia Foundation and blood cancer at leukaemia.org.au

Contact details:

Email [email protected] or call the media team on 0473 154 079.