Page 2 - Breast Cancer.2017

Coping
With Cost
Page 2
El Dorado NEWS-TIMES – Sunday, October 1, 2017
Tips and strategies for managing the cost of cancer treatment
women aged 45 to 64 with breast can- cer pay $75,737 more in the first year.
Treatment can include multiple lab tests, clinic visits, radiation treat- ments, surgery, drugs and radiation treatment. In addition to these costs, patients in treatment often need to take long absences from work, which could result in the loss of a job and with it the loss of insurance. There also can be other costs, such as transpor- tation or hotel if patients have to travel for treatment
“I think one of the first things is to take a deep breath and begin to gather information,” says Susan Brown, senior director of education and patient sup- port at the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Brown knows patients can sometimes be unsure about what to do next. She encourages people to take time to speak at length with their doc- tor to understand the nature of the cancer and how to treat it. This should include getting a copy of their patholo- gy report and seeking out a second opinion.
“Their doctor should talk to them about the stage of their breast cancer, and the test that will be required to gather the information to make those treatment recommendations,” she says. Patients can educate themselves on different treatment methods so they know what to expect.
It’s also important for patients to dis- cuss specific treatment options with their treatment team. Find out from your doctor how much each treatment will cost, how much time off from work will be required and which costs health insurance will cover.
“Realize that it’s OK to ask for help,” Brown says. “There are resources for financial information and assistance.” (For a more detailed list of questions to ask, see the sidebar.)
“People of all socio-economic status- es will have some sort of financial impact from the cost of treatment, Brown says. “There’s no stigma with asking for more information.”
Often a doctor’s office can provide that guidance. Some practices have a dedicated financial counselor on staff or a social worker who can also answer questions. These staff members also can gather information about the patient’s insurance and give some information about what the out of pocket cost might be.
BY JESSE DARLAND CTW FEATURES
A breast cancer diagnosis can be dev- astating enough. But after wondering how the cancer will be treated, many patients find themselves asking a sec- ond, just as distressing question: How
will I pay for it?
It’s especially true for younger
women, many of whom are unused to navigating the world of healthcare. According to a recent study, the costs of breast cancer treatment for younger women can be much higher than simi- lar treatments for older patients. That’s
because breast cancer in younger women is often diagnosed at a much more advanced stage.
Women aged 21 to 44 pay on aver- age $97,486 more in the first year of treatment after a breast cancer diag- nosis compared to women the same age without cancer. In comparison,