DUBBO mother of three boys, Trish Taylor was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2012 and spoke at the Cancer Council's Saving Life Campaign Launch about the added hardship the chemotherapy co-payment can have on a cancer sufferer.
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Chemotherapy co-payments are not required in other states and can even differ between hospitals in NSW.
Co-payments can cost up to $180.
After undergoing a double mastectomy she had six months of chemotherapy and an additional 12 months of three weekly Herceptin drugs.
Earlier this year Trish was diagnosed with a malignant sarcoma to her left thigh, unrelated to the breast cancer.
She went through six weeks of radiation after surgery.
Trish said she was shocked and disgusted that she was charged for some of her chemotherapy treatments, especially as she was already struggling to pay all other medical bills.
"It is very stressful when the medical bills are mounting, when we are most vulnerable," she said.
"I was surprised when I was told I would be billed for the chemotherapy.
"The last thing you expect to pay for is chemotherapy."
Trish said she estimated co-payment costs of about $600 at the end of her 12 weeks chemotherapy and 12 months on Herceptin.
The Cancer Council's vision for change is to make sure cancer patients who have their chemotherapy in a public hospital get it for free.
