Open Access Peer-reviewed Research Article

Financial distress among breast cancer survivors

Article Sidebar

Self-reported history of financial distress among breast cancer survivors
Download PDF
Submitted   Jun 8, 2020
Published   Aug 3, 2020
Issue    Vol 2 (2020)
DOI   10.25082/CCR.2020.01.004

Views

3623

Downloads

1661

Citations

PlumX Metrics

Main Article Content

Steven S. Coughlin corresponding author
1. Department of Population Health Sciences, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; 2. Institute of Public & Preventive Health, Augusta University, CJ-2300 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
Deepak Nag Ayyala
Department of Population Health Sciences, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
Martha S. Tingen
Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA & Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
Jorge E. Cortes
Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA & Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA

Abstract

Aims: there has been an increasing awareness of the potential for oncology care to result in long-term financial burdens and financial toxicity. Patients who report cancer-related financial problems or high costs are more likely to forgo or delay prescription medications and medical care.
Materials and Methods: we examined financial distress using data from a survey of 164 breast cancer survivors who had completed primary therapy for the disease.
Key Findings: among respondents, 8.6% (13 of 151) reported that “being less able to provide for the financial needs of their family” was as a severe problem; 14.4% (22 of 153) reported “difficulty in meeting medical expenses” was a severe problem; and 8.4% (13 of 154) reported that “no money for cost of or co-payment for medical visits” was a severe problem. About 8.4% (13 of 154) of the respondents reported that “no money for cost of or co-payment for medicine” was a severe problem. In logistic regression analysis, younger age and lower household income were significant predictors of financial distress. In multiple linear regression analysis, younger age and lower household income were significant predictors of financial distress.
Significance: financial toxicity remains a major issue in breast cancer care. Efforts are needed to ensure patients experiencing high levels of financial toxicity are able to access recommended care. In addition, patients should talk with their providers about the costs of oncology care and about opportunities to reduce costs while maintaining high quality of care.

Keywords
breast cancer survivors, costs, financial distress

Article Details

Supporting Agencies
NA
How to Cite
Coughlin, S., Ayyala, D., Tingen, M., & Cortes, J. (2020). Financial distress among breast cancer survivors. Current Cancer Reports, 2(1), 48-53. https://doi.org/10.25082/CCR.2020.01.004
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

References

  1. Jagsi R, Pottow JA, Griffith KA, et al. Long-term financial burden of breast cancer: experiences of a diverse cohort of survivors identified through population-based registries. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2014, 32(12): 1269-1276. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2013.53.0956
  2. Zafar SY and Abernethy AP. Financial toxicity, part I: a new name for a growing problem. Oncology (Williston park), 2013, 27(2): 80-149. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4523887
  3. Dean LT, Ransome Y, Frasso-Jaramillo L, et al. Drivers of cost differences between US breast cancer survivors with or without lymphedema. Journal of Cancer Survivorship, 2019, 13(5): 804-814. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-019-00799-1
  4. Carrera PM, Kantarjian HM and Blinder VS. The financial burden and distress of patients with cancer: understanding and stepping-up action on the financial toxicity of cancer treatment. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 2018, 68(2): 153-165. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21443
  5. Perry LM, Hoerger M, Seibert K, et al. Financial strain and physical and emotional quality of life in breast cancer. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 2019, 58(3): 454- 459. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2019.05.011
  6. Dean LT, Schmitz KH, Frick KD, et al. Consumer credit as a novel marker for economic burden and health after cancer in a diverse population of breast cancer survivors in the USA. Journal of Cancer Survivorship, 2018, 12(3): 306-315. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-017-0669-1
  7. Pisu M, Azuero A, McNees P, et al. The out of pocket cost of breast cancer survivors: a review. Journal of Cancer Survivorship, 2010, 4(3): 202-209. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-010-0125-y
  8. Wheeler SB, Spencer JC, Pinheiro LC, et al. Financial impact of breast cancer in Black versus white women. ournal of Clinical Oncology, 2018, 36(17): 1695-1701. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2017.77.6310
  9. Dean LT, Moss SL, Rollinson SL, et al. Patient recommendations for reducing long-lasting economic burden after breast cancer. Cancer, 2019, 125(11): 1929-1940. https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.32012
  10. Arozullah AM, Calhoun EA, Wolf M, et al. The financial burden of cancer: estimates from a study of insured women with breast cancer. The journal of supportive oncology, 2004, 2(3): 271-278. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15328826
  11. Kent EE, Forsythe LP, Yabroff KR, et al. Are survivors who report cancer-related financial problems more likely to forgo or delay medical care? Cancer, 2013, 119(20): 3710-3717. https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.28262
  12. Barsevick AM, Leader A, Bradley PK, et al. Post-treatment problems of African American breast cancer survivors. Supportive Care Cancer, 2016, 24(12): 4979-486. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-016-3359-z
  13. Knight TG, Deal AM, Dusetzina SB, et al. financial toxicity in adults with cancer: adverse outcomes and noncompliance. Journal of Oncology Practice, 2018, 14(11): e665-e673. https://doi.org/10.1200/JOP.18.00120
  14. Lentz R, Benson AB and Kircher S. Financial toxicity in cancer care: prevalence, causes, consequences, and reduction strategies. Journal of Surgical Oncology, 2018, 120(1): 85-92. https://doi.org/10.1002/jso.25374
  15. Azzani M, Roslani AC and Su TT. The perceived cancerrelated financial hardship among patients and their families: a systematic review. Support Care Cancer, 2015, 23(3): 889- 898. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-014-2474-y
  16. Stump TK, Eghan N, Egleston BL, et al. Cost concerns of patients with cancer. Journal of Oncology Practice, 2013, 9(5): 251-257. https://doi.org/10.1200/JOP.2013.000929