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Monica Pope probably didn’t need to be told the breast cancer that doctors diagnosed in 2014 was aggressive: one day she suddenly saw the tumour pressing up from under her skin.

What followed was the full traumatic panoply of cancer treatment, including three surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation.

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But that was not all. Complications from surgery mean Pope, 51, has been unable to work at her technical sales job the past 34 months and now must find a new occupation. Even when her workplace disability finally kicked in after 19 weeks, it paid the single woman $23,000 less than her annual salary.

Add in expenses like drugs and hospital parking, and last year Pope felt forced to take drastic action. In a country that prides itself on looking after the sick, no matter their ability to pay, she declared personal bankruptcy because of cancer.

Read the article: http://news.nationalpost.com/features/bankrupt-by-cancer