The value of being protected

Breast cancer survival rates in countries like Australia are among the highest globally. ¹ But for many families, recovery comes at a significant financial cost, and most don’t see it coming. Every day, around 56 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia.²

Zurich's Cost of Care research found that the median out-of-pocket cost of breast cancer treatment is approximately $5,500, while average lifetime costs can exceed $41,000. ³ For some patients, additional expenses such as breast reconstruction surgery can add more than $18,000 to the overall financial burden.⁴ 

Beyond direct medical costs, many clients also face: 

• Lost income during treatment and recovery
• Reduced capacity to work
• Travel, parking and accommodation expenses
• Childcare and family support costs
• Rehabilitation and ongoing care requirements
• Delayed or forgone treatment due to affordability concerns⁵ 

These financial strains can place significant pressure on families at an already challenging time. Research shows that this kind of stress impacts quality of life, mental health, and in some cases, causes patients to miss or delay treatment.⁶ 

For advisers, these challenges highlight the importance of incorporating protection strategies into broader financial planning discussions. Read Jackie and Tegan's stories below to see how two women facing the same breast cancer diagnosis experienced very different recovery journeys, shaped largely by the financial decisions and protection strategies they had in place before illness struck. 

Same diagnosis, two very different financial outcomes 

Jackie and Tegan had much in common. Both were women in their 40s, balancing careers and family responsibilities when they were diagnosed with breast cancer. Both faced treatment, surgery and the uncertainty that comes with a serious illness.

However, their financial circumstances were very different. 

Jackie had trauma and income protection cover in place. Tegan did not. 

Jackie: How financial support gave Jackie time to recover 

When Jackie was diagnosed with breast cancer in late 2024, what initially seemed like a manageable diagnosis quickly escalated to include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation treatment. 

Like many clients in their peak earning years, Jackie was juggling full-time work alongside raising two school-aged children. Along with the emotional impact of the diagnosis, she was concerned about how treatment would affect her ability to work and manage her family's day-to-day responsibilities. 

Fortunately, Jackie had financial protection in place. Within days of lodging her trauma claim, she received a lump sum payment that helped ease immediate financial concerns during a period of uncertainty. When treatment forced her to stop working, her income protection cover provided ongoing monthly payments, helping to replace lost income and protect the family's lifestyle. 

"My insurance meant we could focus on getting better without worrying it would cost us financially for years to come." 

The financial support gave Jackie and her family breathing room at a time when their focus needed to be on treatment and recovery, not cashflow. 

Recovery extends beyond treatment 

For many clients, the impact of cancer does not end when treatment is complete. 

Through her income protection cover, Jackie was able to access Zurich's Cancer Support Program, which provided multidisciplinary support including a psychologist, exercise physiologist, dietitian and occupational therapist. 

This broader support network helped her navigate the physical, emotional and practical challenges that can accompany a serious health event. 

"My cancer and its treatment affected every part of our lives. Knowing our finances were taken care of allowed me to focus on my treatment and recover at my own pace without rushing back to work." 

Jackie's experience demonstrates how financial protection can support recovery beyond simply replacing income. 

Tegan: When financial pressure becomes part of the diagnosis 

Like Jackie, Tegan was in her 40s, married, and balancing work and family commitments when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. 

Unlike Jackie, however, she did not have insurance cover in place. 

Without an alternative source of income, stepping away from work for an extended period was not financially viable. Throughout treatment, Tegan continued working where possible while managing medical appointments, family responsibilities and the ongoing costs associated with her diagnosis. 

As treatment progressed, financial concerns became an additional source of stress. 

Limited sick leave, reduced working hours and medical expenses created significant pressure on household finances at a time when her focus ideally would have been on recovery. 

"As if a cancer diagnosis wasn't hard enough, I then had to face financial uncertainty. I didn't know what recovery would require, and that unknown made it even more stressful." 

The experience placed strain not only on Tegan, but also on her family. 

"Balancing work, treatment and financial responsibilities was stressful. It affected all of us." 

The long road to recovery 

Although Tegan's treatment eventually ended, her recovery journey continues. 

She now experiences cognitive challenges associated with chemotherapy, a condition experienced by approximately one in three breast cancer survivors following treatment.⁷ The ongoing effects have continued to impact her quality of life and ability to return fully to normal activities. 

Looking back, Tegan believes financial protection would have made a meaningful difference to her recovery experience. 

"Insurance would have given me the freedom to focus on what mattered most, my recovery." 

The value of being financially prepared 

While Jackie and Tegan shared the same diagnosis, their ability to manage the financial consequences of illness differed significantly. 

For Jackie, trauma and income protection benefits provided financial support, income continuity and access to additional support services. The result was greater flexibility to focus on treatment and recovery. 

For Tegan, the absence of cover meant managing the financial and emotional consequences of lost income at the same time as navigating a serious health event. 

Looking back, her perspective on insurance has changed. 

"Insurance always felt like it was for someone else, not me. Like an illness, you think it happens to other people, not yourself." 

Their experiences reinforce the important role advisers play in helping clients prepare for life's unexpected events. 

When serious illness strikes, the value of advice extends beyond wealth creation. It can help protect a client's financial security, preserve lifestyle goals and provide confidence during periods of uncertainty. 

For clients facing a health crisis, financial protection can mean more than a claim payment. It can provide the freedom to focus on what matters most: recovery.