New report from McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer highlights the hidden financial and legal costs of cancer

Cancer’s impact extends far beyond diagnosis and treatment, according to a new report released today by the McCabe Centre for Law & Cancer, a joint initiative of Cancer Council Victoria, Cancer Council Australia, and UICC.

The report, Counting the Cost of Cancer: Legal and Financial Impacts on Victorians, draws on surveys and interviews involving more than 200 people affected by cancer, including unpaid carers. It highlights the significant financial and legal challenges that can accompany a cancer diagnosis, from out-of-pocket costs and loss of income to workplace issues, insurance challenges, and difficulties accessing support services.

“No one should have to navigate financial hardship while undergoing cancer treatment or forfeit treatment because they can’t afford it. Laws, processes, policies, and organisational responses must better reflect the realities of cancer and caring. More proactive, integrated, and accessible support is needed to address unmet need, including training for health professionals on financial and legal distress.”
– Hayley Jones, Director, McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer. 

 

Key findings

• 100% of people with cancer surveyed incurred out-of-pocket costs.
• Around one-third of people with cancer and carers experienced loss of income.
• More than 95%. of those who reported financial hardship reported emotional distress.
• 67% of carers reported legal issues.
• Only 3% of workers with cancer surveyed received information about their workplace rights.

These findings show the growing challenge facing health systems, as more people live longer with and beyond cancer. Despite advances in prevention, diagnosis and treatment, many people living with cancer and their carers continue to face practical and financial pressures that extend well beyond the healthcare system.

The World Health Organization's Global Status Report on Cancer 2026 notes that cancer remains a major cause of financial hardship for individuals and families worldwide, driven by out-of-pocket costs, lost income and other indirect expenses. This new report shows that financial hardship can affect people with cancer even in settings with universal health coverage.

The report calls for stronger workplace protections, reforms to insurance and social security systems, and earlier access to legal, financial and social support services for people affected by cancer and their carers.

Research from the report will be featured at the World Cancer Congress 2026 through two abstract presentations:

• Hidden burdens: Legal and financial challenges faced by unpaid carers of people with cancer (Abstract 964), to be presented on 25 September.
• Legal and financial challenges faced by people with cancer: Insights to inform law and policy reform and improved support services (Abstract 947), to be presented on 26 September.

The McCabe Centre for Law & Cancer is the world's only centre dedicated to advancing law in cancer control and serves as a WHO Collaborating Centre on Law and Noncommunicable Disease. Through its work, the Centre seeks to strengthen legal and policy frameworks that improve cancer prevention, care and support for people affected by cancer.

Download the full report "Counting the Costs"

Download the highlights report