"I was diagnosed with Stage 3b triple-negative breast cancer this past October. When I learned that five months of chemotherapy, a mastectomy, radiation, and reconstruction were going to be part of my treatment plan, one of my first thoughts was, "This is going to be expensive." I quickly had to put the finances out of my mind and focus on my treatment and recovery."
"Cancer is expensive. Bills piling up is the sad reality for many cancer patients in the US, even those with health insurance. My family of five pays over $2,500 a month in health insurance premiums, yet we still have an annual out-of-pocket maximum of nearly $20,000. With three teenagers going to college in the next few years, finances were already tight before my diagnosis."
"In addition to the medical bills, there are a lot of extra expenses that come with cancer treatment, from gas to get to weekly chemo appointments to DoorDash meals for days when I'm not feeling well enough to cook. I'm grateful that my friends set up a meal train and sent DoorDash gift cards to support my family. Business Insider's series, "The true cost of young cancer," examines how a surge in cancer diagnoses among young adults is derailing careers, draining finances,"
Stage 3b triple-negative breast cancer requires months of chemotherapy, mastectomy, radiation, and reconstruction, creating substantial medical and nonmedical costs. Even with health insurance and $2,500 monthly premiums, an annual out-of-pocket maximum approaches $20,000, squeezing a family preparing for multiple college tuitions. Additional expenses include transportation to weekly chemo appointments, prepared meals for recovery days, and other daily support needs. Community support, such as meal trains and DoorDash gift cards, provides vital help. Public fundraising platforms regularly emerge to cover medical bills and household needs when a primary earner is incapacitated or dies, underscoring financial vulnerability.
Read at Business Insider
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