Cancer and your financesHaving cancer can radically undermine your and your family’s financial situation. Even in the early stages of the disease it is good to bear in mind that dealing with various expenses, benefits and reimbursements will require some effort on your part. Laws and regulations provide for benefits and compensation. But it’s up to you to find out about them and apply for such things as compensation. It is best not to delay doing this, as many benefits may have to be applied for within deadlines. But you don’t have to do all of this alone. You can get advice and information about benefits from hospital social workers, the Social Insurance Institution, the benefits advice phone service of the Cancer Society of Finland and your insurance company. You should also ask your workplace supervisor or occupational health official about available work-related benefits. Cancer patients’ expenses Travel expense reimbursements for cancer patients Cancer treatment drugs and reimbursements Private medical care Cancer patients’ rehabilitation and reimbursements Cancer patients’ income and tax Sources Association of Finnish Cancer Patients guide to social security – in Finnish: Suomen Syöpäpotilaat ry. Syöpäpotilaan sosiaaliopas 2017. Helsinki, 2017
