Of the sexes, females are historically the worse off financially, with many giving up work to raise children, thus accruing a smaller pension and savings.
They are also less likely to have specialist insurance in place, such as critical illness or income replacement, to tide them over should they fall ill.
Yet every year 41,000 new cases of breast cancer alone are diagnosed. And while there has been a 22% fall in breast cancer mortality rates in the past decade, recovery can still take many months - time when the victim will not be able to work and may suffer serious financial consequences.
Research from Macmillan Cancer Relief has shown that money worries are second only to pain as a cause of stress to patients. The charity says on average cancer patients spend £380 on travel alone to and from hospital throughout the course of their treatment.
Breast cancer patients face other unexpected costs, including prescription charges for hormone medication; special bras; a wig; extra heating and washing bills; lymphodema management - a possible side effect of treatment, and specialised foods.
Some patients can also find themselves having to fork out for potentially life-saving drugs. Only last week, Barbara Clark, 49, from Bridgwater, Somerset, won a landmark battle against her NHS trust to be prescribed the drug, Herceptin, which trials have shown can increase life-expectancy by half.
The former-nurse had been told to take the drug privately would cost £40,000.
Macmillan says it has heard of patients having to sell their homes to meet the extra financial burden.
As Peter Cardy, chief executive of Macmillan Cancer Relief, says: "Having breast cancer can be a very stressful experience and money worries should be the last thing on your mind."
Adele Jones is one half of Elements, a no-nonsense, jargon-free independent financial advice service delivered by females. She says most people who contract breast cancer will be off work for at least 12 weeks, but adds: "Unfortunately, the disease can lead to other things. We have seen it where it has gone on for many, many months.
"It is the female who often suffers as the longevity of breast cancer can last longer than, for example, having a heart attack. People need to understand that.
"The sort of financial back-up a woman will need will depend on her individual circumstances, but certainly a critical illness policy is vital."
