I calculated my last cancer episode set me back well over $100k.
I couldn't work and while my primary treatment was public I had to pay for all the bits and pieces that can make the difference between surviving and living. If I could even get access to those services.
Lost wages and super, out of pocket costs and eventually rejoining the workforce at a significantly lower pay than previous....
It's difficult to make that ground up in the later years of your working life.
If you are going to get cancer, Australia is probably one of the best places to do it. Still an expensive exercise.