The cost of cancer care

Too many people in Canada today are facing challenges in accessing the cancer care they need to thrive. For countless individuals, the rising out-of-pocket costs – from lab fees and medications to gas money and hospital trips – are piling up at the worst possible time, when earning an income may not even be an option.

People with cancer and their caregivers shoulder 20% of Canada’s total cancer costs – amounting to a staggering $7.5 billion this year alone. With rising cost of living, and more people in Canada facing a cancer diagnosis due to a growing and aging population, this number is expected to climb over the next decade to $8.8 billion per year. These can make an already difficult journey feel overwhelming.

But there is hope. Together, we can make a difference. While no single solution will fix this issue, and no one can do it alone, we believe in the power of collective action. It takes a society—individuals, charities, communities, industries, and governments—working hand in hand to close the gap in care. By coming together, we can lighten the financial load and ensure that no one is forced to go without the tests, treatments, or medications they need.

We need to act now, as a society, to make cancer care more affordable for everyone. Let’s work together to create a future where everyone in Canada can access the care they need without the added financial stress.

We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon all governments to work together to lower the cost of cancer care by:

Supporting caregivers by making the Canada Caregiver Credit refundable, so that anyone who qualifies would receive some relief from out-of-pocket costs
Reduce costs and increase access to innovative cancer drugs by lowing drug prices and guaranteeing access to what is currently available
Guarantee job security through treatment and recovery by expanding job protected leave to 26 weeks
Lightening the load for patients and families by reducing additional costs to cancer care, including lab fees, transportation, prosthetics, oncofertility treatments, incontinence products, cooling caps, and so much more
Urgently address critical shortages of healthcare providers and systemic staffing challenges by implementing a pan-Canadian health human resources (HHR) strategy
Investing in and reduce barriers to early detection, to find cancers earlier when they are easier to treat, saving lives and vital health system dollars
Promoting healthy living and policies that protect the health of Canadians by reducing commercial tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and increasing vaccinate rates for HPV

The cost of cancer: Taaha’s Story

[Taaha Ijaz is seated in front of a white backdrop wall in a well-lit room with a green plant to the left as he speaks to the camera.]

Taaha Ijaz: I was 17 years old when I was diagnosed with cancer.

[The Canadian Cancer Society logo appears on screen.]

Words on screen: Taaha Ijaz, Registered Nurse and cancer survivor

Taaha Ijaz: It impacted my life big time. It takes away a lot. My mom came to every single appointment, every single chemo session. My dad made lots of sacrifices as well.

[A picture appears on the screen of Taaha’s father and mother outside seated on a rock together.]

Taaha Ijaz: Five days in a row where we're at the hospital 10 hours a day, that’s 50 hours.

[Taaha is seated speaking to the camera.]

Taaha Ijaz: My parents are, you know, taking time off work.

[A picture of Taaha and his mother appears on screen. Taaha’s arm is wrapped around his mother’s shoulder.]

Taaha Ijaz: And taking time off, attending to my other brothers as well to be with me during my treatment.

[A selfie of Taaha and his father appears on screen during a time when Taaha was in treatment in hospital.]

Taaha Ijaz: Bringing awareness to the hidden costs associated with the cancer diagnosis and treatment is extremely important.

[Taaha is seated speaking to the camera.]

Taaha Ijaz: Fortunately, a lot of the things are covered here in Canada, but there's still a lot that isn’t covered.

[A picture of Taaha appears on the screen from his time in the hospital. He is laying on his hospital bed.]

Taaha Ijaz: The costs add up really quickly.

[A picture of Taaha appears on the screen where he is sitting on a bench in the hospital and his head is shaved. He has a blanket over his shoulders and is resting up against a pillow.]

[Taaha is seated and speaking to camera.]

Taaha Ijaz: Before you know, you've got this long list of bills that have shown up out of nowhere and you haven't been able to go to work and all that because you're making a decision between attending treatment or going to work.

[A list of costs associated with cancer care written on a notebook grid-style paper comes up on the screen and in bullet point form the costs appear in order:

- childcare

- travel costs

- testing

-medication

-side effect management supplies]

[Taaha is seated speaking to the camera]

Taaha Ijaz: Having to make that decision is devastating and heartbreaking. Being able to provide people with that support financially so that they can focus on their treatment, that is a whole new chapter in their life.

[A picture of Taaha in a hospital bed with him sleeping appears. There are tubes attached to Taaha’s right arm.]

Taaha Ijaz: And being able to support them through it so that they can give all their attention to their treatment really is what we can do for each other as humans.

[A picture of Taaha smiling at the camera appears on the screen. Taaha is outside with green lush trees in the background.]

[The screen cuts back to Taaha speaking to the camera with a white backdrop and plant to the left side.]

[The screen turns yellow.]

Words on screen]: Too many people in Canada are paying out-of-pocket to access the cancer care they need.

Words on screen: Join us in calling for change. Visit cancer.ca/costofcancer

[The text fades out and dissolves.]

[The Canadian Cancer Society logo appears on screen.]:

Words on screen: It takes a society

Our programs and services

The Canadian Cancer Society helps people access the care they need without financial hardship. If you need immediate assistance, please review our services and support programs below to see how we may be able to help.

Find accommodation during cancer treatment

Stay at one of our lodges. They provide safe and peaceful accommodation close to where you receive cancer treatment.

Get transportation to cancer treatment

We can help you get to and from your cancer-related appointments.

Find services in your community

Use our Community Services Locator to search a database of over 4000 cancer-related services and resources nationwide. Find a service now.

Connect with our online community

Join CancerConnection.ca, our moderated online community. People with cancer, cancer survivors and caregivers can find connection, share experiences and exchange information.

Contact our Cancer Information Helpline

Cancer can be difficult to understand. That’s why we’re here to answer your cancer-related questions online or by phone. Contact us toll-free at 1-888-939-3333 or by email or live chat.

Find child, youth and family supports

Visit our summer camps and year-round recreation programs, which support children and young adults with cancer, as well as their families.