EPISODE · Nov 13, 2025 · 35 MIN
Financial Toxicity in Lung Cancer Care: How Patients Navigate the Hidden Costs
from Living With Lung Cancer: Ask Me Anything · host Lung Cancer Foundation. of America
How am I supposed to afford this? It's the question many lung cancer patients are afraid to ask out loud. In our premiere episode, host Annabelle Gurwitch tackles the financial toxicity of cancer care—the hidden costs beyond medical bills, insurance battles, medical debt, and where to find help when you can't afford treatment. Financial toxicity is one of the most difficult and overlooked challenges in cancer care. Annabelle and advocate Colette Smith share powerful stories about navigating insurance roadblocks, medical debt, and employment discrimination. Learn practical strategies to manage out-of-pocket costs, appeal denials, and access trusted resources. Whether you are a patient, caregiver, or healthcare professional, this conversation sheds light on the true cost of living with lung cancer and how knowledge can turn financial fear into empowerment. Annabelle Gurwitch – Host, Author, and Patient Advocate Annabelle brings compassion and candor to conversations about lung cancer, creating space for honest discussions about challenges patients face—from medical debt to emotional strain. Visit her website: annabellegurwitch.com | Follow her on Facebook Colette Smith is a dynamic lung cancer survivor, patient advocate, and community health champion who transformed her 2015 Stage 1A adenocarcinoma diagnosis into a powerful platform for change. As a never-smoker diagnosed through persistent self-advocacy, Colette's mission is to emphasize the importance of patient empowerment and early detection. Show Notes - https://lcfamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AMA-Financial-Toxicity-Show-Notes.pdf Transcript - https://lcfamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AMA-Financial-Toxicity-Transcript.pdf Watch Video - https://youtu.be/SfLl_jnvH8U
What this episode covers
How am I supposed to afford this? It's the question many lung cancer patients are afraid to ask out loud. In our premiere episode, host Annabelle Gurwitch tackles the financial toxicity of cancer care—the hidden costs beyond medical bills, insurance battles, medical debt, and where to find help when you can't afford treatment. Financial toxicity is one of the most difficult and overlooked challenges in cancer care. Annabelle and advocate Colette Smith share powerful stories about navigating insurance roadblocks, medical debt, and employment discrimination. Learn practical strategies to manage out-of-pocket costs, appeal denials, and access trusted resources. Whether you are a patient, caregiver, or healthcare professional, this conversation sheds light on the true cost of living with lung cancer and how knowledge can turn financial fear into empowerment. Annabelle Gurwitch – Host, Author, and Patient AdvocateAnnabelle brings compassion and candor to conversations about lung cancer, creating space for honest discussions about challenges patients face—from medical debt to emotional strain. Visit her website: annabellegurwitch.com | Follow her on Facebook Colette Smith is a dynamic lung cancer survivor, patient advocate, and community health champion who transformed her 2015 Stage 1A adenocarcinoma diagnosis into a powerful platform for change. As a never-smoker diagnosed through persistent self-advocacy, Colette's mission is to emphasize the importance of patient empowerment and early detection. Show Notes - https://lcfamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AMA-Financial-Toxicity-Show-Notes.pdf Transcript - https://lcfamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AMA-Financial-Toxicity-Transcript.pdf Watch Video - https://youtu.be/SfLl_jnvH8U
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Financial Toxicity in Lung Cancer Care: How Patients Navigate the Hidden Costs
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