From petrol to podiatry, the financial implications of cancer go far beyond the cost of chemo
Jenny Murphy was diagnosed with cancer nine years ago
On paper, the costs of contending with a cancer diagnosis may seem straightforward. According to 2019 research by the Irish Cancer Society, the average additional cost is €756 per month, with many facing outgoings of up to €1,000 per month. Households affected by cancer can also see an average loss of income of €1,500 each month.
According to a 2022 survey by Core Research, commissioned by the Irish Cancer Society, the majority (78pc of lower socio-economic groupings and 65pc from those in higher socio-economic groupings) felt they were in a worse financial position compared to the year before. The most common average expenses were medications, GP visits and treatment abroad.