Kate Keogh Murray from Melbourne learned that she jas breast cancer last December. She managed to beat the disease but she had to undergo double mastectomy and had to pay thousands of dollars.
Mrs Murray had private insurance which allowed her to do the operation without delay. Although she has no regrets she believes that cancer patients should be better informed about their options.
‘’What I'd really like to have happen is the doctor to say, 'In your case, there is no urgency. We can wait a few weeks if you want to. If you can't afford the private gaps, we can operate in the public system, in say, three weeks' time. Here's a piece of paper, a pamphlet ...' something with some written information. I was there with my partner, we're both reeling, there's only so much information you can take in at that time."
A group of Australian charities that includes Climate Council Australia and Breast Cancer Network Australia are trying to tackle the issue. They have developed a series of suggestions for doctors that will allow them to help the patient understand their situation and what avenues lie before them.
Danielle Spence from the Breast Cancer Network notes that another part of the issue is the discrepancy between costs. For example, a breast reconstruction that might cost a woman $25.000, might cost another $5.000.
A recent study by Breast Cancer Network Australia found women diagnosed with breast cancer face average out-of-pocket costs of around $5,000 in the first five years.
For some, though, expenses will exceed $21,000.
The average cost with insurance is $7,000, almost double what women relying solely on Medicare pay.
