Cancer is, unfortunately, one of the most financially demanding diseases in the world. And it can be overwhelming for both the patient and the caretaker. While medical facilities work to make healthcare more accessible, in some areas, terminal illness is still financially damaging. Treatments, scans, medicine, and hospice care can easily overturn your budget and put you in debt. 

Cancer recurrence may make it more difficult to achieve financial stability during the patient’s illness. Often, doctors engage in more aggressive treatment, which is more expensive. Here are a few tips on how to deal with the financial burden of cancer recurrence. 

What Is Cancer Recurrence?

When an individual receives a cancer diagnosis, early treatment interventions can remove it. Then, the patient goes into what is known as ‘remission,’ in which cancer shows visible shrinkage. However, cancer sometimes makes a more forceful return. It may occur after some years in the same area as the first tumor or a different body part. This is what cancer recurrence is. 

Effects of Cancer Recurrence

The news of cancer recurrence is devastating for patients and their loved ones and affects several aspects of their lives. 

Emotional Wellbeing Deteriorates

Research links cancer diagnosis to depression, sadness, and anxiety. Not only because the cancer patient is likely to pass away, but also because of the hardship of caring for them. Caring for terminally ill relatives can take a toll on a person’s emotional and physical well-being. There is a monetary cost as well that can be a burden as many people accumulate large debt even after the cancer patient dies. 

Alters Social Lifestyle

Cancer can drastically change an individual’s social life, whether you are the patient or the caretaker. For the patient, severe illness means they cannot go out as often, not only due to their vulnerability to other diseases but also because of fatigue and weakness. For the caregiver, it means adjusting their lifestyle around their loved ones.

Affects Financial Standing

The finances take a hard hit when cancer is involved. Cancer treatment is expensive, from radiation to chemotherapy and hospice. Even medication can rack up a hefty fee. Insurance may not cover certain costs. The caretaker may have to adjust their work schedule for treatment schedules and to care for the patient, especially if they are not the patient’s nurse. 

5 Tips for Dealing With the Financial Burden of Cancer Recurrence

There are ways of alleviating your financial hardship if you or someone you love has cancer.  Government funding, insurance, and charities are popular choices. 

• Reach Out to Cancer Research Facilities

Research facilities allow some patients to be part of their clinical trials. The patient (as a subject) receives free medication. One disadvantage is that some subjects act as the control group. Therefore, they are given the placebo drug instead of the one they are testing. If one is fortunate, most of the treatment process comes free of charge. 

• Look for Online Jobs

A person with advanced cancer is most likely unfit for consistent work if any at all. And the caregiver spends most of their time looking after the patient during and after their treatment. There is not much room for conventional work. Therefore, many opt for online work to increase their income. Content writing is one choice that allows people to work at their own time and pace, wherever they wish to. Therefore it fits in perfectly with treatment schedules.

• Check the Terms of Your Insurance

Most insurance companies include terminal illnesses in their coverage, which is a big help. The claim may only cater to certain parts of the treatment, but it is still a large payout that can ultimately change your financial situation.

• Look Into Housing Assistance

Another way to alleviate the financial strain is to consider housing assistance. There are generally two kinds: government-funded housing and charity-funded housing. With this government-assisted housing plan, the state awards you a home free of rent. Charity-funded housing is often housing sponsored by non-governmental organizations.

• Reach Out to Charities

Charity organizations like Make-A-Wish aim to help cancer patients achieve something memorable. It caters to children 18 and under, where they grant a single wish to the patient. For cancer patients who enjoy traveling or still wish to try new things, foundations such as these are a great opportunity to let them pursue one of their desires without thinking about the financial strain it may cause. In addition, several organizations and companies offer free stuff for cancer patients.

FAQs

• Is living with cancer a disability?

In most countries, cancer is a disability. Therefore you are entitled to certain government funding, aid, and care. In some states, however, cancer is not treated as a disability without certain specifications. The severity and the individual’s limitations have to be taken into consideration. It is crucial to look into your state’s laws and policies, as disability can impact employability, employee benefits, and government support funding.

• How can I make money with cancer?

Living with cancer greatly limits job options in many ways. Money plays a bigger component, as well as health insurance, the commute, and even scheduling treatment sessions. Remote or online work is ideal in situations such as these. They award you more freedom around your schedule and finances. Some ideas include web development, content writing, and social media management. 

• How can I deal with cancer emotionally?

Learning about a cancer diagnosis is never easy for the patient or their loved ones. One of the main issues therapists deal with is getting their clients to accept their condition. Through acceptance, they can find effective coping methods to alleviate the emotional toll of the diagnosis. 

• Is a terminal illness the same as a critical illness?

There is a difference between terminal and critical illness. While both conditions may be serious, critical illness suggests survival or recovery. In addition, it is a condition that will improve over time. With terminal illness, medical experts expect the patient’s condition to progress toward death over the next 12 months. 

Summary

In conclusion, a few strategic methods may help an individual lessen the financial blow of cancer recurrence. Some include venturing into online job opportunities or contacting research facilities offering well-paid programs. Financial support may be in the form of money or coverage for treatments, housing, and food. Explore as many options as possible to expand your list of choices.