Help protect your health and your wallet with personal health insurance. Discover how to choose the right coverage for dental, vision, and extended care. Speak with a Sun Life advisor to tailor a plan that fits your unique needs and budget. Your well-being is worth the investment.
How to manage the cost of cancer
May 01, 2026
By Sun Life staff
A cancer diagnosis is devastating. And cancer doesn't only impact your health; it can seriously affect your finances too. Because even with government healthcare, cancer can come with unexpected costs that add up fast.
Key points:
- Cancer brings unexpected financial costs: Even with government healthcare, cancer patients often face significant out-of-pocket expenses including medications, transportation, lost wages, and household support that can quickly strain finances.
- Multiple payment options exist: Government assistance programs, workplace health benefits, and private insurance can help cover costs, but each has different coverage limits and requirements that vary by province and situation.
- Proactive protection matters: Critical illness insurance provides a tax-free lump sum upon diagnosis, assuming all policy conditions are met, while disability insurance replaces lost income during treatment—both offering financial security when you need it most.
What are the costs associated with cancer care in Canada?
The financial impact of cancer varies significantly depending on several factors:
Your cancer diagnosis
Financial costs differ depending on your diagnosis. Some require more aggressive treatment, longer hospital stays, or specialized medications. Early detection can mean simpler, less expensive care, but late-stage diagnoses often require more intensive (and costly) care.
The cost of your cancer care plan
Each treatment type brings its own expenses: surgical recovery may require home care help, radiation therapy can mean daily trips to the hospital, and chemotherapy can involve expensive medications and managing side effects. The longer your treatment, the more these costs add up.
Travel costs
Living far from your treatment centre means more than just inconvenience. You're looking at daily or weekly travel costs: gas, parking fees, public transit, or accommodations if you need to stay overnight.
The cost of taking time off
Cancer doesn't just affect your income. When you're too sick to work, you might be using sick days, short-term disability, or going without pay entirely. Your partner or family members may also need time off to drive you to appointments, care for you during treatment, or take over household responsibilities. This double hit to household income can strain finances quickly.
The medication coverage gap for cancer patients
There's also an existing gap in medication coverage depending on which province you live in. Hospital-administered chemotherapy is covered by provincial plans, however take-home oral chemotherapy is only fully covered in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
How to pay for cancer-related costs
Cancer costs can add up, but there are several options available to Canadians:
Government assistance programs for cancer patients
If your drug expenses exceed a certain percentage of your income, government assistance may be available. Some drug manufacturers also offer special arrangements for patients. Cancer centres have social workers on staff who can help you navigate these programs and handle the paperwork.
Workplace health benefits if you’re diagnosed with cancer
Your employer benefits can help bridge the gap:
- Supplemental medical insurance covers medicines and equipment not included in your provincial plan
- Disability insurance replaces part of your lost income while you're off work
Both options typically require you to pay deductibles, submit receipts, and work within coverage limits. Check your workplace benefits plan for more details.
Understanding your coverage if you have cancer
Here's a breakdown of who pays for what during cancer treatment:
| Item | Government insurance | Employer/private insurance | Your pocket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospital care | X | ||
| Physician care | X | ||
| Radiation therapy | X | ||
| Hospital chemotherapy | X | ||
| Take home chemotherapy | Varies by province |
X | |
| Other medications (e.g., anti-nausea, pain relief) | X | X | |
| Reconstructive surgery | X | ||
| Rehabilitation | X | X | |
| Wigs, prostheses, and equipment | X | X | |
| Vitamins and supplements | X | X | |
| Your lost wages | X (with disability insurance) | X (without insurance) | |
| Your partner's lost wages | X | ||
| Transportation, parking | X | ||
| Meals | X | ||
| Accomodation | X | ||
| Childcare | X | ||
| Housekeeping | X |
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of all expenses.
Critical illness insurance to cover the cost of cancer
A proactive solution is to get a critical illness insurance (C)II) policy. Sun Life offers two CII products designed to meet different needs and budgets:
Sun Critical Illness Insurance – Comprehensive protection
Our most comprehensive policy, covering 26 critical illnesses for full payout and 8 for partial payout—including acquired brain injury and loss of independent existence.
Coverage amounts: - Adults: $25,000 to $4 million - Children: $25,000 to $1 million (covers 5 additional childhood illnesses)
You may want this product if:
- You want higher coverage amounts to protect your financial plan
- You're between 18-65 and want protection for a broader range of illnesses
- You want to provide children or grandchildren with lifelong coverage
Medical requirements: You may need to complete a medical exam during application.
Express Critical Illness Insurance – Instant approval
Get approved instantly online with no medical exam, no blood work, no waiting.
Three plans to choose from:
| Feature | Basic Plan | Enhanced Plan | Comfort Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illnesses covered | Cancer | Cancer, heart attack, stroke | Cancer, heart attack, stroke, coronary artery bypass surgery, aortic surgery, major organ transplant, major organ failure on waiting list |
| Coverage amount | $25,000 | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Age requirements | 18-65 | 18-65 | 18-65 |
| Additional benefits | -- | -- |
|
Key features:
- Tax-free, lump-sum payment to use however you need
- Instant online approval
- Cancel anytime (full refund if cancelled within 30 days)
- Coverage starts immediately upon approval
Coverage ends when a claim is paid, policy is cancelled, the anniversary after your 70th birthday, or upon death
You may want this product if:
- You want fast, simple coverage without medical exams
- You're looking for affordable protection for the most common critical illnesses
- You prefer to apply entirely online
Can you get critical illness insurance after a cancer diagnosis?
Most critical illness insurance policies, including traditional comprehensive plans, require medical underwriting. If you've already been diagnosed with cancer or are currently in treatment, you'll likely be declined for new coverage. Insurance companies assess pre-existing conditions, and active cancer diagnoses typically disqualify applicants.
Express Critical Illness Insurance offers a different approach with instant approval and no medical exam, but it still includes health-related eligibility questions during application. A previous or current cancer diagnosis would likely make you ineligible.
Disability insurance to cover the cost of cancer
While critical illness insurance provides a lump-sum payment upon diagnosis, disability insurance takes a different approach by replacing a portion of your income during your recovery. This can be particularly valuable during cancer treatment when you're unable to work for extended periods.
Key benefits:
- Income protection: Regular payments to replace your lost wages
- Financial security: Helps you meet mortgage payments, bills, and daily expenses
- Supplement to other benefits: Works alongside government programs and employer benefits
- Protection for your savings: Avoid depleting retirement funds or emergency savings
- Family protection: Maintain your household's financial stability
How disability insurance works for cancer patients
Disability insurance typically covers cancer and related complications that prevent you from working, including:
- Physical side effects from chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery
- Fatigue and weakness during treatment
- Recovery periods after procedures - Complications requiring extended time off work
Types of disability insurance
Short-term disability insurance: Provides income replacement for shorter recovery periods (typically a few weeks to several months):
- Benefits usually begin after a brief waiting period
- Helpful for initial treatment phases or surgical recovery
Long-term disability insurance: Covers extended absences when cancer treatment takes longer:
- Benefits can continue for years or until you're able to return to work
- Essential for complex cases requiring prolonged treatment
Important note: Every policy defines disability differently. Some plans define it as the inability to perform your specific job duties, while others require you to be unable to work in any capacity. Connect with a Sun Life advisor to understand which definition applies to your policy and find coverage that meets your needs.
Can you get disability insurance after a cancer diagnosis?
Like critical illness insurance, disability insurance typically requires medical underwriting. A current cancer diagnosis or recent treatment history will make it difficult to obtain new coverage. Pre-existing conditions are generally excluded from coverage.
Your best option: Act early
The key takeaway? Get coverage before you need it. Once you're diagnosed, your options become extremely limited. If you're healthy now, consider:
- Reviewing your current workplace benefits to understand what you already have
- Purchasing additional critical illness or disability insurance while you're eligible
- Ensuring your family members have adequate protection
Already diagnosed? Focus on existing coverage
If you've already been diagnosed with cancer, maximize the benefits you currently have:
- Leverage your workplace health benefits fully
- Explore government assistance programs
- Connect with social workers at your cancer centre who can help identify all available resources
- Review your existing policies, you may have coverage you weren't aware of
The bottom line: Health insurance is designed to protect you before illness strikes. Acting today can provide crucial financial protection for your future.
Ready to protect your finances?
Use our calculator to estimate how much coverage you need, or connect with a Sun Life advisor to explore your best options.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not professional medical advice or a substitute for that advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider about your specific situation.
