The hidden costs of cancer

September 27, 2026

Host: Sam Koslowski

Producer: Orla Maher

Most of us assume the same thing about cancer in Australia: that it's covered. Medicare, the public system, a fight that's medical rather than financial. The Leukaemia Foundation has just published research that says otherwise. They asked 655 Australians living with blood cancer what their diagnosis actually cost them, and about one in eight said they'd missed, delayed or cancelled treatment because of money. I sat down with two people to work out how that happens. One who has lived it, and one who has spent the last two years measuring it.

This episode is sponsored by the Leukaemia Foundation, but they have had no editorial influence over the content we are sharing in today's podcast.

Hosts: Sam Koslowski and Billi FitzSimonsGuests: Bill Stavreski (Head of Research at the Leukaemia Foundation) and Allannah ClarkeProducer: Orla Maher

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The hidden costs of cancer