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Put yourself in a strong position to combat the disease by understanding the financial aspects related to cancer, if you are ever diagnosed.
No single amount:
The type of cancer, prognosis and recommended treatment are unique to each person, so there is no single amount to cover every eventuality, but these are some of the biggest costs that come with a cancer diagnosis:
• Loss of income (e.g. extended sick leave or inability to work).
• Treatment (e.g. surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, scans).
• After treatment (e.g. physical and psychological rehabilitation).
• Relapse or worsening of the condition (e.g. step-down facility, frail care, hospice).
Treatment costs:
Treatment costs are a major part of the cancer puzzle. Depending on the type of cancer, these could include:
• Minor procedure in a doctor’s consulting rooms to get rid of minor cancers, e.g. some types of skin cancer.
• Specialist treatment with surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, medication and supplements.
• If the cancer becomes advanced or is diagnosed at a late stage, treatment will be more aggressive and that increases costs.
After-treatment costs:
• Physical and psychological therapy or other rehabilitation.
• A step-down facility for recovery. Also called a subacute unit or a transitional unit, it is used after hospitalisation if you are not strong enough to return home.
• Home care and the refurbishment of your house or vehicle to accommodate the effects of the illness.
• In the most difficult cases, when treatment is no longer an option, you need to consider a hospice as most of us are not equipped to give professional care at home.
Unforeseen costs:
Costs not directly related to cancer treatment are often left out of our planning, but they can cause major headaches so don’t forget them.
• Medical aid: If your medical aid doesn’t cover the type of cancer you’re diagnosed with, or your medical aid cover is depleted by multiple tests if doctors are not sure what’s wrong, you’ll need to pay for treatment from other sources such as savings.
• Income protection: in the event of extended sick leave, unpaid leave, if you have to resign from your job or you are retrenched due to the illness. Cancer treatment often affects both healthy and cancerous cells, which takes a toll on the body.
• Dread disease cover: This protects from critical illnesses, such as cancer, giving financial support for treatment, recovery and lifestyle changes. It includes life-impacting diseases and events such as strokes, heart problems, organ failure and transplants.
• Specialised cover for women: Certain insurers, such as 1Life, offer a policy designed specifically for women and their children. It covers cancer, pregnancy complications and systemic lupus, and it offers additional medical, legal and even transport benefits. Get more information on this policy or SMS “woman” to 42711 and 1Life will call you back.
• Life cover: This pays out in the event of death to help your family financially and cover funeral expenses when you pass away. Some insurers offer life cover that includes a terminal illness benefit that pays out your full life cover while you are still alive, if you’re diagnosed with a terminal illness and life expectancy is less than 12 months.
Protection against cancer can be truly life-changing if it’s there when you need it most. 1Life has designed a policy for women and children that provides financial support in the event of a cancer diagnosis, and includes essential benefits to help in times of need. Click here for more on the 1Life All Woman policy and let us change your life today.
Make sure right now that you and your children have the necessary cover. Click here for information on the All Woman policy from 1Life or SMS “woman” to 42711 and 1Life will call you back.
Has your life been touched by cancer? Share the story and inspire others, and 1Life might surprise you with the experience of a lifetime. #StrongerTogether.
Disclaimer
The views and experiences expressed by the individuals featured in these personal accounts are in no way intended as an endorsement of any product or service – commercial, retail or otherwise.
