Women Struggle With Breast Cancer Expenses

Oct. 16, 2007 — -- "I never thought I'd see the day that I was in this situation," said Natashia Pierre, 41, of Central Islip, N.Y.

Pierre, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2007, is insured through her husband and pays 20 percent of her medical bills out-of-pocket.

Her monthly co-pay for chemotherapy is $500, and she is still struggling to pay the $1,000 fee from her lumpectomy earlier this year. She says debt collectors call her home every day.

"How do I tell my kids they can't have lunch money because mommy has cancer?" she said. "It's so frustrating. My husband has to work all the time, to keep the health insurance. He can't even take time off when I have surgery."

"We're not middle class and we're not poor — and we get no assistance."

Pierre's situation is not unique. Numerous posts on the ABC OnCall Plus Breast Cancer site testify to the fact that paying for breast cancer screening and treatment is a top concern. These worries affect both those without health insurance as well as those who are underinsured, meaning that they don't have adequate coverage to pay their bills in the event of a major medical problem.

According to a recent survey conducted by USA Today/Kaiser Foundation/Harvard School of Public Health, 33 percent of cancer patients have trouble paying medical bills and 43 percent report skipping treatments or not filling prescriptions because of the cost.

In addition, one in five cancer patients with insurance will use up all or most of their savings during the course of treatment.

"It's very difficult," said Dr. Stephen Edge, medical director of the Breast Center at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y. "Not only with breast cancer, but with all areas of medical treatment, people in America are commonly forced into desperate financial situations and even bankruptcy by medical bills.

"The overall cost for treating a typical breast cancer will top $50,000 or even $100,000."