Cancer costs

Much like treatment causes physical side effects, cancer can create financial side effects as well. Learn as much as you can about cancer, your treatment and its costs before starting treatment. Don’t wait until you have financial problems to discuss costs with your cancer-care team and support system.

Common costs

• Doctor visits • Lab tests • Treatments

• Imaging tests and scans • Medication • Hospital stays • Home care • Medical supplies • Bloodwork and hydrations • Other procedures • Gas getting to from appointments

Even though you may have managed your finances without help before, you may not have the energy to deal with new money issues now. It’s wise to ask a friend or family member to keep track of costs, go with you to doctor visits and help with these discussions. Sharing this information is a sign of strength and can go a long way in alleviating financial strains.

Your body and your bank

Your health situation on top of financial woes can be a lot to handle. To reduce your stress, have someone help you accomplish these productive tasks:

• Add up monthly payments to hospitals, clinics, doctors, radiologists and

others involved in your treatment.

• Note how each of these bills is paid — online or by mail — and when

the bills are due.

• List the contact information for the billing person or department for

each of these bills.

• Write down the last four digits of your Social Security number and your birthdate, as these are often required when you contact billing departments.

• Write down the debit or credit card number used for payment, as well as the PIN number that goes along with it. Make sure that a family member or trusted friend knows where the debit and credit cards are kept in case they need to access them when you cannot do so.

• List any public or private financial help you are getting, along with

contact names and phone numbers.

• Finally, review your monthly budget to see where you are on track and

where you need to make adjustments.

Average monthly out-of-pocket spending for cancer patients is $316 to $741. Risk of bankruptcy is 2.65 times higher among cancer survivors.