Updated April 28, 2015.

Gas prices are going up, and your expenses are already stretched. What can you do to save money and lower your stress levels while you're in treatment?Ask your health care team if they have other ideas to help you save on driving or other health-related expenses.Here are some ideas.

1. Do shots at home

If you're in treatment, and need follow-up shots (injections), to boost your red or white blood cell counts, you may be allowed to take these home with you if you can administer them yourself.Ask your oncologist if this is possible, and if your health insurance will allow it.

This would save you money two ways:

• 1 - less gas on extra travel,
• 2 - fewer office visit co-payments.

2. Have medications delivered by mail

Do you need to take medications as part of your treatment?Ask your doctor if you can have prescriptions written for a mail-order pharmacy, if your health coverage offers this service.

You will save money two ways:

• 1 - less gas on extra travel to the drug store,
• 2 - lower cost on medication co-payments, since mail-order prescriptions are usually for a 3-month supply, instead of a 30-day supply.

3. Plan your trips carefully

If you have a regular schedule of doctor's appointments set up, why not save on gas by reducing extra trips?Plan your errands so that you do your other routine driving on the way to the doctor.Pick up your dry cleaning, drop off your mail, buy non-perishable items at the grocery store, get a book or magazine to read.

Doing these errands along the way, instead of doing separate trips, will save your gas dollars.It may lower your stress levels, since it's less wear and tear on you, too.

Your Ideas to Save on Expenses

Do you have some ideas on saving medical expenses that you'd like to share?Please email them to me, and I will compile them into a list and publish them on this site.Here's the email address:breastcancer@aboutguide.com[/Emal].