'Narcissistic' surgeons charge cancer patients exorbitant out-of-pocket costs without disclosing alternatives

By Kate Aubusson
Updated July 5 2016 - 10:18am, first published June 20 2016 - 10:04am
Mark Brandt and his wife Linda used their savings to pay his out-of-pocket health costs.  Photo: Supplied
Mark Brandt and his wife Linda used their savings to pay his out-of-pocket health costs. Photo: Supplied
Chief executive of Cancer Council Australia Professor Sanchia Aranda warned of "financial toxicity" in the health sector.  Photo: Supplied
Chief executive of Cancer Council Australia Professor Sanchia Aranda warned of "financial toxicity" in the health sector. Photo: Supplied
Mark Brandt was told robotic surgery, costing $14,000, was his best chance of survival.  Photo: Supplied.
Mark Brandt was told robotic surgery, costing $14,000, was his best chance of survival. Photo: Supplied.

Cancer patients are being charged exorbitant out-of-pocket costs for "flashy" surgeries by doctors who are not disclosing the full financial burden or equally effective alternatives in the public system, cancer experts say.

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