Financial toxicity is a symptom of cancer treatment that often goes unspoken. We are grateful to The Wall Street Journal for shedding light on cancer's financial toll on patients and their families. “Higher drug prices, rising out-of pocket costs, and reduced incomes create economic strain for many patients.”
This is why Ellie Fund has simple qualification criteria for patients which does not require proof of financial need. As long as a person being treated for breast cancer lives or receives their treatment in Massachusetts, they qualify for Ellie Fund services. Regardless of financial stability, no one saves for breast cancer.
#breastcancer#financialtoxcity
Breast Oncologist and Director of Lifestyle Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center
On the front page of today's The Wall Street Journal is an important article entitled, "Cancer Costs Destroy Finances: 'It Broke Me.'" It is devastating that nearly 60% of working-age cancer survivors report facing financial difficulty. As an oncologist, I believe that this is a key topic that we need to address with our patients, and find strategies to address this issue which greatly affects the lives of our patients and their families. I am proud to serve on the board of the Ellie Fund, a non-profit organization which provides essential support to individuals facing the financial challenges related to treatment for breast cancer in MA.
#financialtoxicity#oncology
On the front page of today's The Wall Street Journal is an important article entitled, "Cancer Costs Destroy Finances: 'It Broke Me.'" It is devastating that nearly 60% of working-age cancer survivors report facing financial difficulty. As an oncologist, I believe that this is a key topic that we need to address with our patients, and find strategies to address this issue which greatly affects the lives of our patients and their families. I am proud to serve on the board of the Ellie Fund, a non-profit organization which provides essential support to individuals facing the financial challenges related to treatment for breast cancer in MA.
#financialtoxicity#oncology
Since the publishing of my book, "Up for the Fight. How to Advocate for Yourself as You Battle Cancer," I speak to and advise cancer patients often. The WSJ does a great job highlighting the very real financial challenges faced by cancer patients. In Chapter 7 of "Up for the Fight" (titled the Business of Cancer,) I provide financial tips for those fighting cancer. These are from lessons I have learned the hard way, in my 20+ year battle to beat cancer - five times. #cancer#beatcancer#wsj
Nixon's "War on Cancer" and Biden's "Cancer Moonshot" both focused on biology. It's time for a new war on cancer costs. In some ways this one is much harder, because in a war against a trillion-dollar sector of the U.S. economy, you can't spend your way to victory. #cancer#ethicalhealthcare#degrowth#hippocraticcapitalism#healthcarecosts
The main concern on my mind as a #founder is if #SocialSecurity and #Medicare will exist when I'm older and if I can afford to give up salary in these prime earning years. Also, as my student status ends, so will my student #healthinsurance.
My brief foray into attempting to build a team across the U.S. and Europe proved to me how different it is to live in the U.S. vs a blue zone of happiness where there is no anxiety about, "Can I afford needed #healthcare"? This real anxiety among Americans is not one my European counterparts ever consider. Ironically, I felt unable to do needed self-care, like going to the gym, while building a #healthtech#startup - meanwhlie, "I'm not taking any more meetings and am going to the gym" is the norm in Europe. As the buck stops with me, and I was managing a team split across Europe to California, I had to be in meetings all throughout the day, running daily scrum, then also writing grants, creating content, and doing the social media. It felt like just an hour away from work was too costly. In fact, poor health and poor health access are too costly. Now, a criterion within my team is we take care of each other and encourage and schedule self-care. Also, I did realize that co-location matters because it should be a team activity to do healthy activities together - this is both for bonding and teambuilding and for individual health.
Years ago, when working in #pediatric#emergencymedicine in Boston, a 3-year old who was sent from New Hampshire for an "abnormal blood test" (every pediatrician already knows from that) and, yes, he did have #cancer. The dad's first question was not, "Will he be okay?" but, "How will I afford this?" He had just quit his corporate job with benefits and had put off buying health insurance for their young, healthy family, and had put all his money into bootstrapping his new venture to pursue the American dream as an #entrepreneur.
No parent's first thought on hearing a child's cancer #diagnosis should be money, yet that moment is a snapshot of American capitalism. When I tell people, that after a few decades as a pediatrician, I have come to the conclusion that this country does not value children, they are shocked and deny it. I see it via budgets and policies voted for by the American people. I see it in stories like that. We are unwilling to support child health with our tax dollars, preferring a bigger tax refund for ourselves. Why do we require even American-born children to be born to the right parents with the right job prior to their having access to care?
In those who are able to consider doing early-stage #venture, many have a spouse who has a stable job with good health insurance. Some people get married for a visa. I might need to consider getting married for health insurance. (I'm kidding of course.)
Nixon's "War on Cancer" and Biden's "Cancer Moonshot" both focused on biology. It's time for a new war on cancer costs. In some ways this one is much harder, because in a war against a trillion-dollar sector of the U.S. economy, you can't spend your way to victory. #cancer#ethicalhealthcare#degrowth#hippocraticcapitalism#healthcarecosts
As CancerCare celebrates providing 80 years of providing help and hope to people impacted by cancer, we wanted to mark the occasion by providing 80 tips for coping, from our oncology social workers for the rest of the year!
Learn more about CancerCare support services, including our support groups available to patients, caregivers and those grieving the loss of a loved one: https://loom.ly/yTnx4m8#CancerCare80
When it comes to cancer, Americans are living in a giant paradox. We have more access to life-extending therapies that are making many cancers into chronic conditions. But we're ruining our financial health to pay for them. Nearly 60% of working-age cancer survivors report facing some financial difficulty.
Brianna Abbott has a must-read The Wall Street Journal article about why cancer creates a uniquely difficult financial strain. Highly timely as #ASCO24 approaches American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)#cancer#biotech#oncology
C A N C E R...... the word you never wants to hear. Aflac's flagship policy continues to be the policy most people select when reviewing their options. It is still the policy that is most impactful when helping our clients through one of the most difficult times of their life. Every day we hear of either a friend family member that is diagnosed, it a true epidemic.
Secure your peace of mind with Aflac's Cancer Policy and know that in the event of a diagnosis you will be paid not just for being diagnosed but for many additional treatments throughout your treatment journey.
Find out how you can get protection in place. If you have any underaged children there is no additional cost, they're included in your policy.
☎ 714-600-2509
elizabeth@protectmyfamilynow.comhttps://lnkd.in/g_5jsZNH
