By Paula Schneider, President & CEO, Susan G. Komen When you’re diagnosed with cancer, it’s not only a matter of, “Will I survive?” For countless low-income breast cancer patients, it’s a question of “Can I afford to feed my family, pay rent and save my own life—all at the same time?” In the U.S., breast […]
A new Susan G. Komen report shows how financial barriers undermine care for breast cancer patients, often forcing them to chose between paying for treatment or daily living expenses.
Tiffy was just 29 when she learned she had breast cancer. “I didn’t have to worry about my medical bills, but I couldn’t afford daily expenses,” she said. She turned to Komen’s Financial Assistance Program and was approved for a grant. “That gave me the ability to breathe for just a moment,” Tiffy said. “I could think about my own well-being.”
Helen was helping care for her grandchildren when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. While her treatment costs were covered under Medicaid, Helen had other bills she needed help with. “I worried about my electricity being turned off,” she said. That’s when she turned to Komen’s Financial Assistance Program for help.
During treatment for breast cancer, Colleen had to take time off from work. While Medicaid covered her treatment costs, Colleen had other bills to pay. She applied for help through Komen’s Financial Assistance Program. “Komen’s help took a huge weight off of me while recovering from surgery,” she said. “I was able to focus on taking care of myself.”
Brenda learned she had stage 4 (metastatic) breast cancer in October 2022. She had delayed getting her annual mammogram. “I was in the middle of a move and life was happening,” she said. “But cancer doesn’t wait. It’s so important to not miss your mammogram.”
Daria was living her dream in New York City when, in 2018, she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. “This type of breast cancer is more common among women of color and younger women,” she said. “I started to grasp the significance of my community’s inequities and disparities.”
Catherine’s breast cancer diagnosis was a shock. She was 39 and had no family history. “I never thought it could happen to me,” she said. “What I learned is that I was able to conquer my worst fears and not just live through them but live past them.”
Mindy has undergone treatment for breast cancer twice. First in 2011, then again 10 years later. Finding a positive outlook on life and gratitude for each day were critical to her recovery, as was connecting with other people going through similar journeys. “It’s important to know you are not alone,” she said.
Ashley Fernandez and Brenda Nelson are living with incurable breast cancer. They’re determined to live their best lives and celebrate when scans show their disease is stable.
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At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Congress passed legislation requiring state Medicaid programs to keep people enrolled through the end of the public health emergency (PHE). This requirement ended in the spring, and many states started the process of unenrolling individuals over the late spring and early summer. Unfortunately, as of late […]
