Cancer organizations are deeply concerned about the financial situations of patients. A recent European study has revealed that the situation in Finland is particularly alarming. Finland stands out in Europe for the economic burden on cancer patients. In the newly published study, Finnish patients reported the highest additional costs related to treatments and the second-highest loss of income in all of Europe. Organizations are worried about the situation, highlighting that the welfare state does not adequately protect patients from the financial consequences of cancer.
Marika Skyttä, the director of the health department at Cancer Organizations, expressed her distress, noting the increasing socio-economic inequalities in Finland. Financial difficulties are affecting the daily lives and survival of those afflicted with cancer. The study’s findings are troubling, with 63% of Finnish patients reporting income loss due to illness and 73% facing additional treatment costs such as medication and travel expenses. Nearly one-fifth disclosed skipping medication or appointments due to financial constraints, a rate above the EU average.
Skyttä criticized the government’s social security cuts, emphasizing their detrimental impact on the livelihoods of long-term sick individuals, particularly those with low incomes. The study also revealed that one in five Finnish patients sought financial aid, a process that can be burdensome. Young adults, single parents, low-income individuals, and self-employed cancer patients are especially financially vulnerable. Integrating discussions about finances into the treatment journey is crucial.
Katja Tähkä, the head of psychosocial support at Cancer Organizations, highlighted the lengths patients go to manage their everyday expenses, including resorting to payday loans. Financial challenges can even hinder cancer recovery, a situation deemed not only tragic but also inhumane by Cancer Organizations. The study was published in the ESMO Open journal focusing on cancer medicine, based on responses from 2,507 cancer patients across 25 European countries.
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