Cancer is one of the most devastating, destructive forces known to man, having a huge impact on populations all over the world and leading to so much suffering each and every year. Statistics show that over 600,000 people die of cancer in the US every single year, and around 1.8 million new cases are expected to be diagnosed throughout 2020.
Not only will these new patients suffer the stress and fears associated with a cancer diagnosis, but they’ll also have to take into account the various costs associated with the medical care and treatment they need to deal with the disease. The high cost of cancer treatment can weigh heavily on many, with some reports showing average prices of around $24,000 per patient, per hospitalization.
Costs can vary wildly from one case to the next, with chemotherapy drugs costing $10,000 per month and cancer generally being classed as one of the most expensive diseases to treat. This means that cancer patients tend to be much more likely to end up declaring bankruptcy and suffering severe financial hardship. However, there are options out there that can help out with the costs.
Lawsuits
There are cases when other parties may have been involved in raising a person’s risk of developing cancer. For example, if a worker was made to operate in an environment where asbestos was present, their exposure to such a dangerous substance may have raised their risk of developing associated cancers like lung cancer and mesothelioma.
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In these cases, lawyers can be contacted and evidence can be gathered to file a lawsuit against the employer, requesting damages and compensation to cover medical costs for cancer treatment like chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation, as well as funds to cover income lost and general compensation for pain and suffering.
Grants
There are various organizations out there that can be contacted by those seeking financial assistance with their cancer treatment costs. These organizations offer cancer financial grants, and the rules and specifics of each of these grants can vary quite a lot. Some of them are quite general and easily accessible, while others are more limited and specific in how they can be obtained.
Either way, it’s wise to do your research, contacting local non-profits to get more information, and learning as much as you can about any possibilities that could be available to you. You may find specific grants related to the type of cancer you or a loved one is suffering from, and all of the money provided will be free and not need to be paid back, so it can make a real difference.
Fundraisers
If you want to avoid becoming one of the one-third of cancer patients who end up going into debt due to the high costs of their treatment, it’s also worth considering the option of fundraising. The internet has made fundraising easier than ever, with sites like GoFundMe letting pretty much anyone create their own fundraiser and ask for financial aid online, and many of these attempts are successful.
There are many people out there who have been harmed or affected by cancer in the past and want to help out, as well as those who simply like to donate to good causes whenever they can, so there’s no harm in setting up your own online or in-person fundraiser, with the help of family and friends and asking for aid if you need it. There are many different ways to do this, from sponsored runs and bake sales to special events and more.
Other Assistance
There are many other sources of financial aid that can be found for cancer patients if you take the time to search for them. Various organizations hand out gas gift cards to cancer patients, for example, which can help to cover the costly travel expenses of getting to and from the hospital for your treatment sessions.
There are also programs that can help out with drug discount cards and prescription assistance, letting you get your medication for less money, as well as utility assistance programs that can help to cut down on your home utility costs. Some of these aids might seem small, but they all add up.
Conclusion
Going through cancer treatment can be quite scary and intimidating all on its own, and you don’t want to have the added worry of financial hardship weighing you down. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, be sure to contact local organizations and see what kinds of assistance you can get, rather than facing the bills alone.
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