Nova Scotia cancer patients may qualify for wig funding through new program
Nova Scotians being treated for cancer and dealing with hair loss may qualify for help with the cost of a wig.
A news release from the province Thursday says the program is being offered through a one-time rebate of $300.
To be eligible for the program, people must:
- be a resident of Nova Scotia with a valid health card
- have a gross family income no greater than $35,000 per year
- be enrolled in the Drug Assistance for Cancer Patients Program
- not have private insurance that covers the cost of a wig
People can apply for the program online.
“A cancer diagnosis is scary enough. Hair loss due to the treatment needed to fight the cancer can be very upsetting for people going through an already very difficult time,” said Health and Wellness Minister Michelle Thompson in the news release.
“We want to give people some help to buy a wig if they choose and hopefully let them focus more of their energy on getting well.”
Other cancer-improvements already implemented by the Nova Scotia government include:
- launching a new lung screening program, as well as screening programs for colon, cervical and breast cancers
- providing more funding for community oncology clinics, helping more people get the care they need closer to home
- enhancing communication among oncology providers and patients, resulting in improved care, shorter wait times and better results
- introducing a first-in-the-world Ethos radiotherapy system with HyperSight imaging, decreasing the average number of treatments to five from 20
- a new 10-year partnership with Varian that will make Nova Scotians among the first in the world to access new oncology technology and innovative programs
According to the release, about 360 patients could be eligible for the new program, which is expected to cost around $110,000.
The province says the cost of a wig can range from $200 to $2,000, with an average cost of $650.
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Signs of Alzheimer’s were everywhere. Then his brain improved
Blood biomarkers of telltale signs of early Alzheimer’s disease in the brain of his patient, 55-year-old entrepreneur Simon Nicholls, had all but disappeared in a mere 14 months.
Box tree moths have infested Ontario and experts say more are coming. Here's what to do to protect your garden
An invasive moth species is on the rise in Canada and, if you've planted a certain shrub, it could stand to ruin your garden.
Lyon-bound Air Canada Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner from Montreal turns back midflight due to pressurization alert
Passengers heading from Montreal to Lyon, France on Friday were forced to return home and depart the next day after a pressurization indication was detected in flight.
Oilers dominate Canucks, win to force deciding Game 7
The Edmonton Oilers avoided elimination from the NHL playoffs Saturday night, beating the visiting Vancouver Canucks 5-1 in Game 6 of their second-round series.
The eight most expensive homes for sale in Ottawa this spring
Ottawa's ultra luxury housing market is blooming like the tulips this spring, with a significant increase in the number of homes sold worth more than $2 million.
B.C. pipeline company argues its 'haulers' are not trucks, for tax purposes
A contractor working on the Coastal GasLink pipeline has been denied more than $333,000 worth of tax rebates because pieces of machinery it purchased – and claimed were not trucks – were deemed sufficiently truck-like in B.C. Supreme Court.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Usyk beats Fury by split decision, becomes undisputed heavyweight champion
Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury by split decision to become the first undisputed heavyweight boxing champion in 24 years.
To plant or not to plant? Gardening tips for May long weekend
May long weekend is finally here, and with the extra time off you may be getting the itch to head out to your garden and plant. However, the old debate whether you should plant now, or wait, is still ever-present.