Table 3. Subthemes for supportive care.

Subthemes	Representative quotes
Medical aids/equipment	‘There are 2 pieces (colostomy bag), the bag and the base. It costs RM250 (US$63) just for the bag, not inclusive of the gum and the soap. So expensive’ (A 34-year-old female, stage 4 colorectal cancer, low-income, public hospital, no private health insurance) ‘Every month I have to pay hundreds. It (one colostomy bag) can only last for 2-3 days… we have to change the bag frequently. The expenses every month just for this is really high. No subsidy. I tried applying but it is so hard to get’ (A 38-year-old female, colorectal cancer stage unknown, low-income, public hospital, no private health insurance) ‘One non-governmental organization gave it (colostomy bag) for free for 6 months. But I can’t use it because I am allergic to it.... Let’s say I have to use the stoma bag permanently for my whole life, I can’t get the bag for my entire life. That’s what the social welfare department (from the hospital) told me’ (A 34-year-old female, stage 4 colorectal cancer, low-income, public hospital, no private health insurance) ‘It is expensive. When I think about buying the bra, I get scared. I was forced to spend RM250(US$63) after my operation. It makes us so stressed’ (A 37-year-old female, stage 3 breast cancer, low-income, public hospital, no private health insurance)
Management of side effects of cancer therapy – impotence	‘It (medication for erectile dysfunction) is not essential medicine, it is lifestyle medication. So they don’t give. Even insurance companies don’t pay for lifestyle medicine’ (A 58-year-old male, prostate cancer stage unknown, high-income, private hospital, with private health insurance)
Food supplements	‘The milk is really expensive you know, RM40+ (USD10) for one small tin. And you have to take a lot of scoops, 6 scoops!’ (A 34-year-old Malay female, stage 4 colorectal cancer, low-income, public hospital, no private health insurance)
Physiotherapy	‘That also depends because of the cost. If they suggest 3 (physiotherapy) sessions, I just go for one to save cost’ (A 48-year-old female, breast cancer stage unknown, middle-income, public academic hospital, no private health insurance)