The Financial Cost Of Breast Cancer And How Patients Get Help

A breast cancer diagnosis doesn’t just affect your health — it can completely disrupt your finances.

In this episode (S1, E14) of Besties with Breasties, Sarah and Beth are joined by Heather Burns, a licensed master social worker and program director at Gateway to Hope, to talk about the real financial stress many patients face during treatment. From lost income and mounting medical bills to transportation costs, insurance premiums, and basic living expenses, the financial burden of breast cancer is often overwhelming.

Heather explains how Gateway to Hope helps remove financial barriers to care so patients can focus on healing instead of survival. They discuss financial toxicity, why people delay or skip treatment due to cost, and why asking for help is not a failure — it’s a necessary part of care.

This conversation is for anyone worried about how they’ll afford treatment, unsure where to turn for help, or feeling guilty about needing support during cancer.

In This Episode, We Discuss:
-The true cost of breast cancer treatment
-What financial toxicity means for patients
-Why people delay or skip care due to money
-How Gateway to Hope supports patients
-Transportation, housing, and insurance assistance
-Why asking for help is essential during treatment
-Reducing barriers so patients can focus on healing

About Besties with Breasties & Faith Through Fire
Faith Through Fire is a 501c3 Non-Profit. Our mission is to reduce the Fear and Anxiety that breast cancer patients feel and replace it with hope and a path toward thriving. We do this through peer mentorship, which can be implemented nationwide. We host educational supports in-person and virtually to help overcome the trauma of breast cancer.

Learn more or become a supporter at faiththroughfire.org
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If this episode helped you better understand the financial side of breast cancer or pointed you toward support, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who may need this information.