Cancer patients skip tests amid record Cancer Council Victoria helpline demand

Victorian patients are delaying important tests to cover the cost of cancer, with a huge jump in the number of referrals for financial counselling.

Demand for Cancer Council Victoria’s helpline is rising as patients struggle with cost-of-living and mental health. Picture: iStock

Cancer patients are delaying important tests and foregoing essentials to cover the cost of their illness, as the state’s peak cancer body faces record demand.

New Cancer Council Victoria figures show calls to their free helpline, 13 11 20, skyrocketed in 2023, jumping by more than 50 per cent compared to the same period, January to November, last year.

Nurses responded to a record 18,095 calls, answering more queries on mental and financial issues than the actual treatment and management of cancer.

Council’s head of strategy and support Danielle Spence said the spike in mental and financial distress impacted other services too, with emotional counselling referrals up by 107 per cent, while referrals for financial counselling jumped by 48 per cent.

Nurses are fielding more queries on mental and financial issues than the actual treatment and management of cancer. Picture: iStock

“People’s resilience is really shattered after the pandemic, the financial pressures of cost of living and then the whammy of a cancer diagnosis,” she said.

“We know people are making decisions around the things that they’re forgoing so they can afford their cancer treatment.

“The frightening thing is sometimes people are forgoing things associated with their treatment plan.

“They’re putting off that follow up test or scan that might be an out of pocket expense, because they have all those other life pressures to pay for.”

She said people, at times too sick to work, were struggling as the cost of everything — from filling a $30 monthly prescription to out of pocket scans — “accumulates” and makes it harder to get through an already difficult time.

“People are shocked by the cost of the cancer diagnosis and it starts right at the beginning,” she said.

“Even if you’re referred to the public service, your GP might refer you for private tests and scans.”

The Cancer Council Data shows emotional or psychological concerns was the top reason for helpline calls this year, responsible for more than a third — 37 per cent — of inquiries and up on 2022 figures by 44 per cent.

Practical issues — including the cost of cancer — was responsible for almost 3800 calls, making it the second most common issue and representing a 25 increase from last year.

Just over one-in-ten queries — 2044 calls — were for “treatment and management of cancer”.

Ms Spence said this time of year can be “overwhelming” and they expect demand will rise in the lead up as people struggle to celebrate a ‘new year’ that just brings more cancer treatment.

“It’s not as if the clock ticks over into a new year and it’s ‘wow I’m going to do all these new and exciting things,” she said.

“People still have to go through cancer in the new year.”

“They might be in a darker place than those around them,” she said.

“Even if you’re in a crowded room, even if you’re at a party, you can really feel that loneliness and isolation.”

She encouraged patients, their family and friends to call 13 11 20, which is open Monday to Friday bar public holidays, if needed.