Cancer treatment can take a profound financial toll, and new research shows the damage does not stop at the bank account. Nearly half of patients experience significant “financial toxicity,” and that strain quietly chips away at hope and social support, two pillars that sustain people through illness. As those erode, overall satisfaction with life declines. The findings suggest that addressing the cost of care is not only a financial issue but a psychological one, and that protecting patients’ hope and sense of connection may be just as critical as covering their bills.