June 1, 2025
To the Myya Community and All Who Care About Survivors,
Every June, National Cancer Survivors Day (NCSD) reminds us to honor the courage and resilience of those who have faced cancer. But for millions of survivors, the journey does not end when treatment stops. Survivorship is not a single day-it is a lifetime. And for far too many, that lifetime is shadowed by financial hardship, making affordability the most urgent and overlooked challenge in cancer care today.
Survivorship’s Hidden Price Tag
When the world sees a survivor, it often sees a story of hope and renewal. But behind the scenes, the financial toll of cancer persists long after the last infusion or surgery. Survivors are left not just with medical bills, but with the ongoing costs of follow-up care, medications, reconstructive procedures, and mental health support. Many are forced back into the workforce too soon or face job loss, reduced income, and depleted savings. The assumption that “healthy” means “okay” ignores the reality: cancer’s financial aftershocks can last a lifetime.
The American healthcare system is among the most expensive in the world, with costs rising faster than inflation and consuming nearly 20% of our economy. Drug prices, provider fees, and insurance premiums continue to climb, leaving survivors-already vulnerable-struggling to keep up. This is not just a personal crisis; it is a national one.
The Emotional Toll of Financial Stress
Financial toxicity-a term used to describe the economic burden of cancer-can be as debilitating as the disease itself. Survivors often feel pressure to be grateful for their recovery, even as they face mounting debt and difficult choices about their care. Many hesitate to speak openly about their struggles, fearing stigma or judgment. Yet, as organizations like The Samfund have found, simply validating the reality of being “broke from cancer” can bring immense relief and open the door to real solutions..
The emotional weight of financial insecurity compounds the challenges of survivorship. Anxiety, depression, and a sense of isolation are common, especially when survivors feel forced to choose between paying for medications or other basic needs. This is not the survivorship we should be celebrating.
Why Affordability Must Be Our Top Priority
If we are to be honest about what it means to survive cancer, we must put affordability at the center of our conversation. High costs are not just a byproduct of advanced care-they are a barrier to it. When survivors cannot afford follow-up appointments, prescription drugs, or essential medical supplies, their health and quality of life suffer. This is not just unfair; it is unacceptable.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was designed to make healthcare accessible and affordable for all Americans. While it expanded coverage, it did not curb the relentless rise in costs. Insurance premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses remain out of reach for many, and gaps in coverage leave survivors exposed to financial ruin. The promise of survivorship must include the promise of affordable, ongoing care.
A Call to Action: Community, Policy, and Innovation
Addressing affordability requires a collective effort:
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Community Support: We must build networks that provide not just emotional, but financial support. Grant programs, patient assistance funds, and community-based resources can help bridge the gap for those most in need.
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Policy Change: Lawmakers must prioritize reforms that make healthcare truly affordable. This means capping out-of-pocket costs, expanding Medicaid, and ensuring that insurance covers all aspects of survivorship care-from mental health to medical devices.
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Insurance Reform: Insurers must be held accountable for providing comprehensive, affordable coverage. Survivors should not face denials or exorbitant costs for the care they need to live full, healthy lives.
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Healthcare Innovation: The industry must invest in new models of care that reduce costs without sacrificing quality. From telemedicine to value-based care, we need solutions that put patients-not profits-first.
Survivorship Is a Right, Not a Privilege
At Myya, we believe that every survivor deserves access to affordable, high-quality care-not just for a day, but for a lifetime. Survivorship should be a right, not a privilege reserved for those who can pay. We are committed to amplifying the voices of those who struggle in silence and to advocating for the systemic changes needed to make survivorship sustainable.
Today, I call on our community, policymakers, insurers, and healthcare leaders: Let’s make affordability the cornerstone of survivorship. Let’s ensure that every survivor can move forward with hope, dignity, and the security of knowing that their care will not come at the cost of their future.
Survivorship is more than a day. It is a promise-a promise we must keep, together.
With determination,
