Health

Cancer Treatment Costs Set to Soar: Are We Prepared for a $37 Billion Bill by 2034?

2024-12-09

Author: Jacques

The Financial Burden of Cancer

As the battle against cancer intensifies, so does the financial burden that accompanies this formidable disease. Vanessa Percoco, diagnosed with colorectal cancer at just 31 years old, navigated her life-threatening diagnosis not only with courage but also with unexpected financial strain. Living in Quebec, she discovered that many essential expenses related to her treatment were not covered by the public health system. From medications to alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy to supplies for her colostomy bag, Ms. Percoco incurred substantial out-of-pocket expenses, totaling about $15,000 over two years.

“I often found myself contemplating which was a priority—my medication or my rent,” she shared, echoing a silent desperation that many cancer patients experience. “That’s not a normal stress, and it’s not fair.”

Projected Costs by 2034

A recent study by the Canadian Cancer Society paints a bleak picture of the future costs associated with cancer treatment in Canada. By 2034, it is projected that these expenses will skyrocket to an eye-watering $37.7 billion annually, with public health systems shouldering 80% of these costs. However, a significant $7.5 billion—20% of the total—will still come from the wallets of cancer patients and their caregivers.

Impact on Patients

The financial toll on individual cancer patients is staggering. On average, those diagnosed with the illness can expect to spend approximately $33,000 throughout their lifetimes on related expenses. Jennifer Gillis, a senior manager at the Canadian Cancer Society, noted that low- or fixed-income individuals face a particularly harsh impact, as those costs can deprive them of savings for critical life milestones such as homeownership or their children's education.

Rising Direct Costs to Health Ministries

Notably, the burden is expected to grow, with the direct costs to provincial and territorial health ministries escalating from $30.2 billion this year to $37.4 billion in just over a decade. A significant contributor to this rising trend is lung cancer, which is anticipated to incur the steepest increases in both diagnoses and societal costs, despite recent declines in mortality rates.

Increasing Cancer Survivability

Canada's aging population—along with advancements in cancer detection and treatment—means that more people are living longer with cancer. In 2000, approximately 138,000 new cancer cases were diagnosed in Canada, compared to an estimated 247,000 this year. With more than 1.5 million Canadians living with or beyond cancer as of 2018, survival rates are improving, albeit at the cost of prolonged and often expensive care.

Darren Brenner, a cancer epidemiologist at the University of Calgary, remarked, “It’s encouraging that more patients are surviving, but this prolonged survival comes with increasingly complex and costly treatments.” The study predicts that treating the three most prevalent cancer types—lung, breast, and colorectal—will cost the Canadian healthcare system nearly $13 billion this year alone.

Individual Financial Impact

At the individual level, the financial impact of cancer can be harsh, with nearly half of the costs arising from out-of-pocket expenses on medical supplies and prescription medications. Additional burdens come from time spent in treatment, with many patients losing income or facing reduced work capacity due to their illness.

Percoco's journey is a testament to these statistics. Following her diagnosis, she had just begun a new teaching position when her illness forced her to step back—leaving her without income and health benefits during an already challenging time. Today, at age 33, Ms. Percoco reflects on her experience with gratitude but is acutely aware of the plight faced by those less fortunate in their cancer battles.

“I survived,” she said, “but I often think of those who are left scrambling for funds, spending their last months worrying about financial burdens. That’s just not fair.”

Looking Ahead: Are We Prepared?

As Canada faces this looming financial crisis in cancer care, the question remains: Are we ready to tackle the impending costs, and how will we ensure that no patient must choose between medication and basic needs?