Financial Hardships Experienced by Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review

Financial burden of thyroid cancer in the United States: An estimate of economic and psychological hardship among thyroid cancer survivors

BACKGROUND

Annual cancer-related healthcare expenditure in the United States is estimated to exceed $150 billion by 2020. As the prevalence of thyroid cancer increases worldwide, thyroid cancer survivorship is associated with increasing personal and cumulative costs. Few studies have examined the psychological and material economic costs experienced by thyroid cancer survivors. We seek to estimate the comparative prevalence of financial and psychological hardship among thyroid cancer and non-thyroid cancer patients in the United States.

METHODS

The 2011 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Experiences with Cancer databank was queried to identify thyroid and non-thyroid (colon, breast, lung, prostate) cancer survivors. This survey includes assessments of financial stress, material hardship, and psychological financial hardship. Cancer incidence-based weighted estimates of responses were compared between thyroid and non-thyroid cancer survivors. Independent predictors of material and psychological financial burden were identified through separate multivariate regression models.

RESULTS

Thyroid cancer survivors more frequently reported psychological financial burden compared to non-thyroid cancer (46.1% vs 24.0%, P = .04). Material financial hardship (28.1% vs 19.9%, P = .37) and concurrent material and psychological hardship (25.1% vs 12.5%, P = .09) were noted at similar frequencies between thyroid and non-thyroid cancer survivors. However, on multivariate analysis, only younger age and lack of health insurance coverage were independently associated with psychological financial hardship.

CONCLUSION

Thyroid cancer survivors report greater psychological financial hardship than non-thyroid cancer survivors. Because this financial burden may be underrecognized in the medical community, further studies should be conducted to aid physicians in better understanding the impact of a thyroid cancer diagnosis.

Is Health Insurance Literacy Associated With Financial Hardship Among Cancer Survivors? Findings From a National Sample in the United States

Little is known about the association between health insurance literacy and financial hardship among cancer survivors. Using the 2016 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Experiences with Cancer self-administered questionnaire, we evaluated the associations between health insurance literacy and medical financial hardship and nonmedical financial sacrifices among adult cancer survivors in the United States. Of the survivors, 18.9% aged 18–64 years and 14.6% aged 65 years and older reported health insurance literacy problems. In both age groups (18–64 and ≥65 years), from multivariable logistic regressions, survivors with health insurance literacy problems were more likely to report any material (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.53 to 5.96; AOR = 3.33, 95% CI = 1.69 to 6.57, respectively) or psychological (AOR = 5.53, 95% CI = 2.35 to 13.01; AOR = 8.79, 95% CI = 4.55 to 16.97, respectively) hardship, as well as all types of nonmedical financial sacrifices than those without these problems. Future longitudinal studies are warranted to test causality and assess whether improving health insurance literacy can mitigate financial hardship.

Clinical and Genome-Wide Analysis of Serum Platinum Levels after Cisplatin-Based Chemotherapy

PURPOSE

Serum platinum is measurable for years after completion of cisplatin-based chemotherapy (CBC). We report the largest investigation of serum platinum levels to date of 1,010 testicular cancer survivors (TCS) assessed 1-35 years after CBC and evaluate genetic contributions to these levels.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Eligible TCS given 300 or 400 (±15) mg/m2 cisplatin underwent extensive audiometric testing, clinical examination, completed questionnaires, and had crude serum platinum levels measured. Associations between serum platinum and various risk factors and toxicities were assessed after fitting a biexponential model adjusted for follow-up time and cumulative cisplatin dose. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed using the serum platinum residuals of the dose and time-adjusted model.

RESULTS

Serum platinum levels exceeded the reference range for approximately 31 years, with a strong inverse relationship with creatinine clearance at follow-up (age-adjusted P = 2.13 × 10-3). We observed a significant, positive association between residual platinum values and luteinizing hormone (age-adjusted P = 6.58 × 10-3). Patients with high residual platinum levels experienced greater Raynaud phenomenon than those with medium or low levels (age-adjusted ORhigh/low = 1.46; P = 0.04), as well as a higher likelihood of developing tinnitus (age-adjusted ORhigh/low = 1.68, P = 0.07). GWAS identified one single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) meeting genome-wide significance, rs1377817 (P = 4.6 × 10-8, a SNP intronic to MYH14).

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates that residual platinum values are correlated with several cisplatin-related toxicities. One genetic variant is associated with these levels.

Financial Burdens of Cancer Treatment: A Systematic Review of Risk Factors and Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Patients with cancer experience financial toxicity from the costs of treatment, as well as material and psychologic stress related to this burden. A synthesized understanding of predictors and outcomes of the financial burdens associated with cancer care is needed to underpin strategic responses in oncology care. This study systematically reviewed risk factors and outcomes associated with financial burdens related to cancer treatment.

METHODS

MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, PsychINFO, and the Cochrane Library were searched from study inception through June 2018, and reference lists were scanned from studies of patient-level predictors and outcomes of financial burdens in US patients with cancer (aged ≥18 years). Two reviewers conducted screening, abstraction, and quality assessment. Variables associated with financial burdens were synthesized. When possible, pooled estimates of associations were calculated using random-effects models.

RESULTS

A total of 74 observational studies of financial burdens in 598,751 patients with cancer were identified, among which 49% of patients reported material or psychologic financial burdens (95% CI, 41%-56%). Socioeconomic predictors of worse financial burdens with treatment were lack of health insurance, lower income, unemployment, and younger age at cancer diagnosis. Compared with patients with health insurance, those who were uninsured demonstrated twice the odds of financial burdens (pooled odds ratio [OR], 2.09; 95% CI, 1.33-3.30). Financial burdens were most severe early in cancer treatment, did not differ by disease site, and were associated with worse health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and nearly twice the odds of cancer medication nonadherence (pooled OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.13-2.56). Only a single study demonstrated an association with increased mortality. Studies assessing the comparative effectiveness of interventions to mitigate financial burdens in patients with cancer were lacking.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence showed that financial burdens are common, disproportionately impacting younger and socioeconomically disadvantaged patients with cancer, across disease sites, and are associated with worse treatment adherence and HRQoL. Available evidence helped identify vulnerable patients needing oncology provider engagement and response, but evidence is critically needed on the effectiveness of interventions designed to mitigate financial burden and impact.

Racial differences in employment and cost-management behaviors in patients with metastatic breast cancer

PURPOSE

Little is known about racial variations in the financial impact of cancer care. Using data from a national survey of racially diverse patients with metastatic breast cancer, we examined racial/ethnic patterns in employment and cost-management (i.e., financial coping) behaviors.

METHODS

We conducted an online survey of patients with metastatic breast cancer. Participants reported on socio-demographic characteristics, employment, and financial coping behaviors. We employed adjusted modified Poisson regressions to evaluate racial/ethnic differences in changes in work for pay and financial coping.

RESULTS

Our analysis included 1052 respondents from 41 states, including Non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB, 9%), Hispanics (7%), Asians/Pacific Islanders/Native Hawaiians (API/NH, 10%), American Indians/Alaskan Natives (AI/AN, 8%), and Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW, 66%). In adjusted analyses comparing NHWs with patients of color, patients of color were more likely to take unpaid leave (NHB Adjusted Risk Ratio [ARR] = 2.27; 95% CI 1.54, 3.34), take paid leave (Hispanic ARR = 2.27; 95% CI 1.54, 1.29), stop work (AI/AN ARR = 1.22; 95% CI 1.05, 1.41), and reduce work hours (AI/AN ARR = 1.33; 95% CI 1.14, 1.57). Patients of color were more likely than NHWs to stop treatment (NHB ARR = 1.22; 95% CI 1.08, 1.39), borrow money from friends/family (Hispanic ARR = 1.75; 95% CI 1.25, 2.44), skip other medical bills (API/NH ARR = 2.02; 95% CI 1.54, 2.63), and skip non-medical bills (AI/AN ARR = 1.67 95% CI 1.06, 2.63). Non-Hispanic Whites more commonly reported using savings or skipping a vacation to help manage costs.

CONCLUSIONS

Racial/ethnic differences exist in employment changes and financial coping among metastatic breast cancer patients, with patients of color experiencing worse consequences. Equity must be a guiding principle in strategies addressing financial burden during cancer care.

Development and validation of a patient-reported outcome tool to assess cancer-related financial toxicity in Italy: a protocol

INTRODUCTION

Financial toxicity (FT) is a well-recognised problem in oncology. US-based studies have shown that: (a) cancer patients have a 2.7 times risk of bankruptcy; (b) patients who declare bankruptcy have a 79% greater hazard of death; (c) financial burden significantly impairs quality of life (QoL) and (d) reduces compliance and adherence to treatment prescriptions. The aim of the project is to develop and validate a patient-reported-outcome (PRO) measure to assess FT of cancer patients in Italy, where, despite the universal health coverage provided by the National Health Service, FT is an emerging issue.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Our hypothesis is that a specific FT measure, which considers the relevant sociocultural context and healthcare system, would allow us to understand the main determinants of cancer-related FT in Italy, in order to address and reduce these factors. According to the International Society for Pharmaco-economics and Outcomes Research guidelines on PROs, the project will include the following steps: (1) concept elicitation (from focus groups with patients and caregivers; literature; oncologists; nurses) and analysis, creating a coding library; (2) item generation (using a format that includes a question and a response on a 4-point Likert scale) and analysis through patients' cognitive interviews of item importance within different coding categories to produce the draft instrument; (3) factor analysis and internal validation (with Cronbach's alpha and test-retest for reliability) to produce the final instrument; (4) external validation with QoL anchors and depression scales. The use of the FT measure in prospective trials is also planned.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The protocol is approved by the ethical committees of all the participating centres. The project will tentatively produce a validated tool by the spring 2021. The project might also represent a model and the basis for future cooperation with other European countries, with different healthcare systems and socioeconomic conditions.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03473379.

Obesity and psychosocial well-being among cancer patients and survivors

OBJECTIVE

As the association between obesity and cancer receives increasing attention, studies have begun to examine the potential impact of excess weight on psychosocial domains during treatment and survivorship. The current study will examine the effect of weight status on psychosocial outcomes among patients diagnosed with breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 4159 patients over the age of 55 who were diagnosed with postmenopausal breast (52.2%), prostate (38.7%), or colon cancer (9.1%). Prior to treatment, patients were screened for problem-related distress using a 33-item touch screen-based instrument. Descriptive statistics were generated for each cancer type and one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) used to determine significant differences in distress by weight (nonobese: <30 kg/m² vs obese: ≥30 kg/m² ).

RESULTS

A higher prevalence of biopsychosocial problem-related distress was reported by patients with breast cancer (M = 4.3) compared with prostate (M = 2.8) and colon cancer (M = 3.8). Obese breast and prostate cancer patients reported higher levels of problem-related distress compared with nonobese patients (P < .05), whereas an opposite trend was noted for patients with colon cancer.

CONCLUSION

The current study found notable obesity-related differences among patients diagnosed with postmenopausal breast cancer or prostate cancer, with excess weight consistently associated with poorer psychosocial outcomes. These findings among a large cohort of patients provide insight into the impact of obesity during the cancer care trajectory and can provide guidance in the development and implementation of supportive care services for this "at-risk" population.

Evaluation of a Novel Financial Navigator Pilot to Address Patient Concerns about Medical Care Costs

CONTEXT

Interventions are required that address patients' medically related financial needs.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate a Financial Navigator pilot addressing patients' concerns/needs regarding medical care costs in an integrated health care system.

METHODS

Adults (aged ≥ 18 years) enrolled at Kaiser Permanente Northwest, who had a concern/need about medical care costs and received care in 1 of 3 clinical departments at the intervention or comparison clinic were recruited between August 1, 2016, and October 31, 2016. Baseline and 30-day follow-up participant surveys were administered to assess medical and nonmedical socioeconomic needs, satisfaction with medical care, and satisfaction with assistance with cost concerns. Physicians at both clinics were invited to complete a survey on medical care costs. We assessed participant characteristics and survey responses using descriptive statistics and 30-day change in satisfaction measures using multivariable linear regression models.

RESULTS

Eighty-five intervention and 51 comparison participants completed the baseline survey. At baseline, intervention participants reported transportation (52.9%), housing (38.2%), and social isolation (32.4%) needs; comparison participants identified employment (33.3%), food (33.3%), and housing (33.3%) needs. Intervention participants reported higher satisfaction with care (p = 0.01) and higher satisfaction with cost concerns assistance (p = 0.01) vs comparison participants at 30-day follow-up, controlling for baseline responses. Although most physicians (80%) reported discussing medical care costs with their patients, only 18% reported knowing about their patients' financial well-being.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated the promise of a novel Financial Navigator pilot intervention to address medical care cost concerns and needs, and underscored the prevalence of nonmedical social needs in an economically vulnerable population.

Putting patients first: an inventive service delivering cancer treatment at home

Aim: This study evaluated the patient experience of receiving subcutaneous chemotherapy at home via a unique 'Cancer Treatment at Home' outreach service adapted by the UK Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust. Patients & methods: The service involved using highly trained nurses to deliver cancer treatments to patients in their own homes. Patient outcomes were monitored over 12 months via the Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy at Home (SACT) survey using handheld electronic devices. Results: Of the 56 participating cancer patients, 53 provided responses. Patients received subcutaneous trastuzumab, denosumab, pembrolizumab, fulvestrant and goserelin. Overall, 96% of respondents were 'very satisfied' and 4% 'satisfied' with the service. All respondents would recommend the service to others. Conclusion: The 'Cancer Treatment at Home' service has improved the patient experience for cancer care and has been recognized nationally for its achievements.

Prevalence and Correlates of Medical Financial Hardship in the USA

BACKGROUND

High patient out-of-pocket (OOP) spending for medical care is associated with medical debt, distress about household finances, and forgoing medical care because of cost in the USA.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the national prevalence of medical financial hardship domains: (1) material conditions from increased OOP expenses (e.g., medical debt), (2) psychological responses (e.g., distress), and (3) coping behaviors (e.g., forgoing care); and factors associated with financial hardship.

DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS

We identified adults aged 18-64 years (N = 68,828) and ≥ 65 years (N = 24,614) from the 2015-2017 National Health Interview Survey. Multivariable analyses of nationally representative cross-sectional survey data were stratified by age group, 18-64 years and ≥ 65 years.

MAIN MEASURES

Prevalence of material, psychological, and behavioral hardship and hardship intensity.

KEY RESULTS

Approximately 137.1 million (95% CI 132.7-141.5) adults reported any medical financial hardship in the past year. Hardship is more common for material, psychological and behavioral domains in adults aged 18-64 years (28.9%, 46.9%, and 21.2%, respectively) than in adults aged ≥ 65 years (15.3%, 28.4%, and 12.7%, respectively; all p < .001). Lower educational attainment and more health conditions were strongly associated with hardship intensity in multivariable analyses in both age groups (p < .001). In the younger group, the uninsured were more likely to report multiple domains of hardship (52.8%), compared to those with some public (26.5%) or private insurance (23.2%) (p < .001). In the older group, individuals with Medicare only were more likely to report hardship in multiple domains (17.1%) compared to those with Medicare and public (12.1%) or Medicare and private coverage (10.1%) (p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Medical financial hardship is common in the USA, especially in adults aged 18-64 years and those without health insurance coverage. With trends towards higher patient cost-sharing and increasing health care costs, risks of hardship may increase in the future.

Fertility concerns, preservation strategies and quality of life in young women with breast cancer: Baseline results from an ongoing prospective cohort study in selected European Centers

OBJECTIVES

Most research addressing needs and concerns of young patients with breast cancer (≤40 years) is retrospective. The HOHO European protocol is a prospective multicenter cohort study of young women with newly diagnosed breast cancer, about fertility, psychosocial and quality of life concerns. Here we report the baseline data and focus on predictors of fertility concerns.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patient surveys and medical record review were used. The baseline survey included sociodemographic, medical and treatment data as well as questions on fertility concerns and preservation strategies. Subscales from the CAncer Rehabilitation Evaluation System-Short Form (CARES-SF) were administered to measure specific quality of life aspects. Uni- and multivariable modeling were used to investigate predictors of greater fertility concern.

RESULTS

Among 297 eligible respondents, 67% discussed fertility issues before starting therapy, 64% were concerned about becoming infertile after treatment, and 15% decided not to follow prescribed therapies. Fifty-four percent of women wished future children before diagnosis; of these, 71% still desired biologic children afterwards. In multivariable analysis, not having children was the only patient characteristic significantly associated with fertility concerns at diagnosis. Twenty-seven percent used fertility preservation strategies. Women who received chemotherapy reported greater physical (p = 0.021) and sexual difficulties (p = 0.039) than women who did not. Women who were married or had a partner reported less psychosocial problems than single women (p = 0.039).

CONCLUSIONS

Young women with newly diagnosed breast cancer have several concerns, including, but not limited to, fertility. The HOHO European study provides valuable information to develop targeted interventions.

Financial burden and quality of life among early-onset colorectal cancer survivors: A qualitative analysis

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosed at ages <50 years old (early‐onset CRC) has been increasing in the United States, resulting in a growing number of early‐onset CRC survivors who may face significant financial and quality of life (QOL) challenges.

Objective

Identify themes from a patient advocate discussion about the impact of CRC on financial burden and QOL among early‐onset CRC survivors.

Methods

We conducted a semi‐structured, stakeholder discussion among 14 early‐onset CRC survivors and one caregiver who were members of an advocacy group. The discussion focused on the financial and overall QOL impacts of CRC. The meeting was recorded, transcribed and coded in ATLAS.ti, using a thematic analysis approach.

Results

Cancer stage at diagnosis among advocates with CRC ranged from 2 to 4; about half of the attendees had no evidence of disease, and about half were undergoing treatment. Employment (career trajectory, lost wages, health insurance/benefits, performance) emerged as the dominant theme of the financial impacts discussion. Lifestyle impacts of disease and survivorship included both emotional and physical side‐effects. Diagnosis experience, missing information about CRC treatment and side‐effects, financial stress and strain on relationships were the primary themes for the overall QOL impacts.

Conclusion

Given the growing incidence of CRC in those under 50, it is particularly important for providers to be aware of these patients' financial, emotional and QOL needs, and to develop care plans that specifically address these areas of concern for early‐onset CRC survivors.

Understanding, measuring, and addressing the financial impact of cancer on adolescents and young adults

The financial impact of cancer treatment among adolescents and young adults (AYAs, 15-39 years) is deep and long lasting. Compared with other age groups, because of their life stage, AYAs are particularly vulnerable to the adverse economic effects of cancer treatment, also known as financial toxicity. Clinical manifestations of cancer-related financial toxicity include interrupted work and income loss, accumulated debt, treatment nonadherence, avoidance of medical care, and social isolation. Effective clinical interventions should include efforts to increase financial self-efficacy as well as direct support. Measures that are valid, reliable, multidimensional, and age-appropriate are needed to study and address financial toxicity in the AYA population.

Methods for measuring financial toxicity after cancer diagnosis and treatment: a systematic review and its implications

Patients experiencing financial distress as a side-effect of cancer are not only reported in the United States, but also in third-party payer healthcare systems in Europe. Since validated survey instruments are a prerequisite for robust and comparable results, we aimed to compile and classify available instruments to enable both a better understanding of the underlying construct of financial toxicity and to facilitate further studies that are adjustable to various healthcare systems. We did a systematic literature search on studies that provide data on perceived cancer-related financial distress experienced by adult patients using PubMed, CINAHL and Web of Science databases up to 2018. We analyzed all detected instruments, items domains and questions with regard to their wording, scales and the domains of financial distress covered. Among 3298 records screened, 41 publications based on 40 studies matched our inclusion criteria. Based on the analysis of 352 different questions we identified 6 relevant subdomains that represent perceptions of and reactions to experienced financial distress: (i) active financial spending, (ii) use of passive financial resources, (iii) psychosocial responses, (iv) support seeking, (v) coping with care or (vi) coping with ones' lifestyle. We found an inconsistent coverage and use of these domains that makes it difficult to compare and quantify the prevalence of financial distress. Moreover, some existing instruments do not reflect relevant domains for patients in third-party payer systems. There is neither a consistent understanding of the construct of financial burden nor do available instruments cover all relevant aspects of a patients' distress perception. We encourage using the identified six domains to further develop survey instruments and adjust them to different health systems.

Estimating the Direct Cost of Cancer in Nepal: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Tertiary Cancer Hospital

Background: The increasing prevalence of cancer and lack of strong health financing system in low income countries like Nepal is exerting an enormous financial burden on cancer patients. However, there is scant information relating to the amount of expenditure on health services for cancer treatments in Nepal. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the direct cost associated with the treatment of cancer on the patients attending a tertiary cancer treatment center in Nepal. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was carried out on 294 cancer patients who were receiving treatment from Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital between 17th November 2016 and 13th February 2017. Direct medical cost and non-medical costs borne by the patients were calculated based on the cost of illness methodology. Medical cost included the cost of consultation, diagnosis and treatment while non-medical cost comprised the cost occurred out of the health facility such as the cost of food, travel, and accommodation. Result: Of those 294, 169 (57.5%) were female and 125 (42.5%) were male. The median (IQR) age was 54 (19) years. Cancer of the lung was present in 19.39%, breast cancer in 15.65% and cervical cancer in 14.29%. Mean (SD) and Median (IQR) direct cost of cancer was NRs 387.5 (196.8) and 346.1 (260.5) thousand. Medical cost contributed to 80.91% of the total direct cost. Almost everyone relied on out-of-pocket (OOP) payment for cancer treatment, where 253 (86.1%) participants reported that they were experiencing financial hardship, 230 (78.2%) took a loan, and 140 (47.6%) sold their property to manage the OOP. Both medical and non-medical costs varied significantly with age, socio-economic status, types of cancer and the treatment. Conclusion: Medical cost contributed the most to the direct cost. OOP was dominant payment mechanism to utilize health services. Average direct cost of cancer was higher than the average income of patients, sufficient to cause financial catastrophe. This implies the need of improved health financing strategy to protect people from the financial hazards of health service utilization for cancer in Nepal.

Understanding survivors' needs and outcomes: the role of routinely collected data

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The number of cancer survivors is growing due to population ageing, earlier detection and more effective therapies. Routinely collected data (RCD), generally cancer registry data, has been used to investigate survivors' needs and outcomes. We reviewed uses of RCD since 2017, identifying novel findings and research directions.

RECENT FINDINGS

Survival is improving internationally but continues to vary between subgroups. Longitudinal survivor surveys suggest malignancy-specific temporal patterns in unmet needs and health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL). Unmet needs are a risk factor for future depression and depression predicts poorer HRQoL in all domains. Emerging evidence suggests links between posttraumatic stress and poor HRQoL and posttraumatic growth and improved HRQoL. Evidence for a link between cancer-related financial hardship and poor HRQoL is accumulating. Surveys and linkage studies continue to show poorer work outcomes in survivors. Among survivors of childhood and young adult cancers, large linkage studies demonstrate significant risk of late effects, including hospitalization, pregnancy and labour complications, and cardiac death.

SUMMARY

RCD plays a significant role in understanding survivors' needs and outcomes. New approaches which overlay different types of data - including detailed clinical and treatment data, biomarker data and nonhealth administrative data - have the potential to generate considerable new knowledge.

The social and economic toll of cancer survivorship: a complex web of financial sacrifice

PURPOSE

To assess the financial outcomes and associated social and economic effects on cancer survivors and their families.

METHODS

We assessed the responses of 1656 cancer survivors to a survey with both closed- and open-ended questions about cancer-related financial sacrifices they and their family experienced and evaluated differences in financial sacrifice by reported levels of cancer-related debt.

RESULTS

The most commonly reported financial sacrifices included cutbacks on household budgets, challenges with health care insurance and costs, career/self-advancement constraints, reduction/depletion of assets, and inability to pay bills. Survivors who incurred $10,000 or more in debt were significantly more likely to report social and economic impacts, including housing concerns and strained relationships.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis demonstrates both the frequency with which cancer survivors and families must make financial sacrifices as a result of their cancer, and the variety of forms that this sacrifice can take, even for individuals who have health insurance. The many types of financial hardship create challenges that are unique to each survivor and family.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

Interventions that allow for personalized assistance with the specific financial and social needs of cancer survivors and their families have the potential to address a critical aspect of the long-term wellbeing of this important population.

Race, financial hardship, and limiting care due to cost in a diverse cohort of cancer survivors

PURPOSE

Estimate prevalence of types of cancer-related financial hardship by race and test whether they are associated with limiting care due to cost.

METHODS

We used data from 994 participants (411 white, 583 African American) in a hospital-based cohort study of survivors diagnosed with breast, colorectal, lung, or prostate cancer since January 1, 2013. Financial hardship included decreased income, borrowing money, cancer-related debt, and accessing assets to pay for cancer care. Limiting care included skipping doses of prescribed medication, refusing treatment, or not seeing a doctor when needed due to cost. Logistic regression models controlled for sociodemographic factors.

RESULTS

More African American than white survivors reported financial hardship (50.3% vs. 41.0%, p = 0.005) and limiting care (20.0% vs. 14.2%, p = 0.019). More white than African American survivors reported utilizing assets (9.3% vs. 4.8%, p = 0.006), while more African American survivors reported cancer-related debt (30.5% vs. 18.5%, p < 0.001). Survivors who experienced financial hardship were 4.4 (95% CI: 2.9, 6.6) times as likely to limit care as those who did not. Borrowing money, cancer-related debt, and decreased income were each independently associated with limiting care, while accessing assets was not.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of some forms of financial hardship differed by race, and these were differentially associated with limiting care due to cost.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

The ability to use assets to pay for cancer care may protect survivors from limiting care due to cost. This has differential impacts on white and African American survivors.

Novel therapeutic strategies for spinal osteosarcomas

At the dawn of the third millennium, cancer has become the bane of twenty-first century man, and remains a predominant public health burden, affecting welfare and life expectancy globally. Spinal osteogenic sarcoma, a primary spinal malignant tumor, is a rare and challenging neoplastic disease to treat. After the conventional therapeutic modalities of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery have been exhausted, there is currently no available alternative therapy in managing cases of spinal osteosarcoma. The defining signatures of tumor survival are characterised by cancer cell ability to stonewall immunogenic attrition and apoptosis by various means. Some of these biomarkers, namely immune-checkpoints, have recently been exploited as druggable targets in osteosarcoma and many other different cancers. These promising strides made by the use of reinvigorated immunotherapeutic approaches may lead to significant reduction in spinal osteosarcoma disease burden and corresponding reciprocity in increase of survival rates. In this review, we provide the background to spinal osteosarcoma, and proceed to elaborate on contribution of the complex ecology within tumor microenvironment giving arise to cancerous immune escape, which is currently receiving considerable attention. We follow this section on the tumor microenvironment by a brief history of cancer immunity. Also, we draw on the current knowledge of treatment gained from incidences of osteosarcoma at other locations of the skeleton (long bones of the extremities in close proximity to the metaphyseal growth plates) to make a case for application of immunity-based tools, such as immune-checkpoint inhibitors and vaccines, and draw attention to adverse upshots of immune-checkpoint blockers as well. Finally, we describe the novel biotechnique of CRISPR/Cas9 that will assist in treatment approaches for personalized medication.

Socioeconomic disparities in health-related quality of life among colorectal cancer survivors

PURPOSE

Improvements in colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention, early detection, and treatment have resulted in substantial gains in survival. However, the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of CRC survivors often depends on access to supportive care, which differs by survivors' socioeconomic characteristics. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between socioeconomic characteristics and HRQoL in a diverse group of CRC survivors.

METHODS

We conducted a population-based, cross-sectional study to examine the association between socioeconomic factors (household income, health literacy, and insurance status) and HRQoL domains of pain interference, fatigue, physical function, sleep disturbance, anxiety, and depression. PROMIS® Short Forms v.2.0 were used to assess domains of HRQoL. Linear regression modeling was used to estimate the coefficient representing the average HRQoL domain score and its 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

Three hundred one CRC survivors participated in the survey. Low-income (≤ $30,000) CRC survivors had, on average, a 4.70-point (95% CI 1.10-8.28) higher pain interference score, a 7.02-point (95% CI 3.27-10.77) higher fatigue score, a 5.13-point (95% CI - 8.56 to - 1.71) lower physical function score, and a 4.44-point (95% 1.40-7.49) higher depression score than CRC survivors with an income ≥ $70,000. Survivors with Medicaid insurance reported significantly greater pain interference and worse physical function than privately insured survivors. Survivors with low health literacy reported significantly greater pain interference compared with survivors with high health literacy.

CONCLUSIONS

Substantial socioeconomic disparities in HRQoL were observed in this diverse population of CRC survivors.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

Designing supportive care interventions to improve HRQoL among low-income and Medicaid-insured CRC survivors is critical for eliminating disparities in CRC outcomes.

Highlights From an Expert Meeting on Opportunities for Cancer Prevention Among Older Adults

This paper provides highlights from an expert meeting to explore opportunities to reduce cancer risk and promote health at older ages. Factors that increase cancer risk among older adults include exposure to carcinogens from multiple sources, chronic conditions such as obesity and diabetes, and unhealthy behaviors. Emerging research points to chronic social stressors - social isolation, loneliness, and financial hardship - as being linked to accelerated biological aging and increased cancer risk later in life. Older adults may disproportionately encounter these stressors as well as barriers to preventive health care services, accurate health information, and environments that promote health. Researchers can use existing cohort studies of older adults to deepen our understanding of the relative benefit of modifying specific behaviors and circumstances. The evidence points to the value of comprehensive, transdisciplinary approaches to promote health and reduce cancer risk across the entire lifespan, extending through older adulthood. Clinical encounters with older adults provide opportunities for psychosocial and behavioral screening and counseling. In the presence of multiple morbidities, preventive health services may offer greater health benefits than cancer-screening tests. Strategies that involve families and caregivers, promote positive attitudes about aging, and engage many different community sectors have the potential to prevent or delay the development of cancer at older ages.

Coping strategies of cancer patients in Ukraine

This case study explores the coping strategies of oncology patients and their family members in Ukraine. These coping strategies are seen as an individual-level response to the organizational and financial failures of the Ukrainian health care system. Based on semistructured interviews with medical doctors, patients, representatives of charitable foundations, and policy makers, we identify a variety of coping strategies, including personal connections and informal payments. Unequal access to diagnostic and treatment services is observed: coping strategies are developed by patients and their families taking into account the available financial and social capital. Importantly, we could not identify a typical path for cancer patients as cancer patients act in an environment of great uncertainty-in terms of their prognosis and in terms of the cost of treatment. With a weak state and financial uncertainty, patients and physicians perceive coping strategies rather positively as it may contribute to the chance of life.

Financial Hardship and Quality of Life among African American and White Cancer Survivors: The Role of Limiting Care Due to Cost

BACKGROUND

Financial hardship is common among cancer survivors and is associated with both limiting care due to cost and with poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This study estimates the association between limiting care due to cost and HRQOL in a diverse population of cancer survivors and tests whether limiting care mediates the association between financial hardship and HRQOL.

METHODS

We used data from 988 participants (579 African American, 409 white) in the Detroit Research on Cancer Survivors (ROCS) pilot, a hospital-based cohort of breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancer survivors. We assessed associations between financial hardship, limiting care, and HRQOL [measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G)] using linear regression and mediation analysis controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, and cancer-related variables.

RESULTS

FACT-G scores were 4.2 [95% confidence interval (CI), 2.0-6.4] points lower among survivors who reported financial hardship compared with those who did not in adjusted models. Limiting care due to cost was associated with a -7.8 (95% CI, -5.1 to -10.5) point difference in FACT-G scores. Limiting care due to cost explained 40.5% (95% CI, 25.5%-92.7%) of the association between financial hardship and HRQOL overall, and 50.5% (95% CI, 29.1%-188.1%) of the association for African American survivors.

CONCLUSIONS

Financial hardship and limiting care due to cost are both associated with lower HRQOL among diverse cancer survivors, and this association is partially explained by limiting care due to cost.

IMPACT

Actions to ensure patients with cancer can access appropriate care could lessen the impact of financial hardship on HRQOL.

Minimizing the burden of cancer in the United States: Goals for a high-performing health care system

Between 1991 and 2015, the cancer mortality rate declined dramatically in the United States, reflecting improvements in cancer prevention, screening, treatment, and survivorship care. However, cancer outcomes in the United States vary substantially between populations defined by race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, health insurance coverage, and geographic area of residence. Many potentially preventable cancer deaths occur in individuals who did not receive effective cancer prevention, screening, treatment, or survivorship care. At the same time, cancer care spending is large and growing, straining national, state, health insurance plans, and family budgets. Indeed, one of the most pressing issues in American medicine is how to ensure that all populations, in every community, derive the benefit from scientific research that has already been completed. Addressing these questions from the perspective of health care delivery is necessary to accelerate the decline in cancer mortality that began in the early 1990s. This article, part of the Cancer Control Blueprint series, describes challenges with the provision of care across the cancer control continuum in the United States. It also identifies goals for a high-performing health system that could reduce disparities and the burden of cancer by promoting the adoption of healthy lifestyles; access to a regular source of primary care; timely access to evidence-based care; patient-centeredness, including effective patient-provider communication; enhanced coordination and communication between providers, including primary care and specialty care providers; and affordability for patients, payers, and society.

"It still affects our economic situation": long-term economic burden of breast cancer and lymphedema

PURPOSE

Financial toxicity after breast cancer may be exacerbated by adverse treatment effects, like breast cancer-related lymphedema. As the first study of long-term out-of-pocket costs for breast cancer survivors in the USA with lymphedema, this mixed methods study compares out-of-pocket costs for breast cancer survivors with and without lymphedema.

METHODS

In 2015, 129 breast cancer survivors from Pennsylvania and New Jersey completed surveys on demographics, economically burdensome events since cancer diagnosis, cancer treatment factors, insurance, and comorbidities; and prospective monthly out-of-pocket cost diaries over 12 months. Forty participants completed in-person semi-structured interviews. GLM regression predicted annual dollar amount estimates.

RESULTS

46.5% of participants had lymphedema. Mean age was 63 years (SD = 8). Average time since cancer diagnosis was 12 years (SD = 5). Over 98% had insurance. Annual adjusted health-related out-of-pocket costs excluding productivity losses totaled $2306 compared to $1090 (p = 0.006) for those without lymphedema, or including productivity losses, $3325 compared to $2792 (p = 0.55). Interviews suggested that the cascading nature of economic burden on long-term savings and work opportunities, and insufficiency of insurance to cover lymphedema-related needs drove cost differences. Higher costs delayed retirement, reduced employment, and increased inability to access lymphedema care.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term cancer survivors with lymphedema may face up to 112% higher out-of-pocket costs than those without lymphedema, which influences lymphedema management, and has lasting impact on savings and productivity. Findings reinforce the need for actions at policy, provider, and individual patient levels, to reduce lymphedema costs. Future work should explore patient-driven recommendations to reduce economic burden after cancer.

Relationship between paid leave, financial burden, and patient-reported outcomes among employed patients who have undergone bone marrow transplantation

PURPOSE

The US does not have universal paid family and medical leave. We examine the direct effects of access to paid leave on patient-reported health, quality of life (QOL), and perceived stress of employed patients who underwent bone marrow transplantation (BMT) to treat advanced blood cancer as well as the indirect effects through reductions in the financial burden (FB) that patients face.

METHODS

Our cross-sectional observational study took place at three US transplantation centers in 2014 and 2015. All English-speaking cancer patients 6-month post-BMT were mailed a 43-item survey assessing financial situation, employer benefits, and patient-reported health outcomes. The sample includes the 171 respondents who were employed at the time of BMT.

RESULTS

Seemingly unrelated regression analysis confirms that patient access to paid leave was associated with reductions in all three measures of FB, and lower levels of financial hardship were related with improved health, QOL, and perceived stress outcomes. For self-reported health and perceived stress outcomes, all of the effects of patient paid leave operate indirectly through reductions in FB. For QOL outcomes, there is both a direct effect (over 80%) of paid leave and an indirect effect through reduction of FB.

CONCLUSION

We found that paid leave affected health outcomes for BMT patients mostly through alleviating FB. These findings suggest universal paid leave policies in the US might alleviate financial hardship and have positive effects on the self-reported QOL of employed patients facing intensive medical treatments.

Designing and Testing Apps to Support Patients With Cancer: Looking to Behavioral Science to Lead the Way

Background

Behavioral science has a long and strong tradition of rigorous experimental and applied methodologies, which have produced several influential and far-reaching theoretical frameworks and have guided countless inquiries of human behavior in various contexts. In cancer care, behavioral scientists have established a firm foundation of research focused on understanding the experience of cancer and using that understanding to design and implement theory- and evidenced-based interventions to help patients cope with the cancer experience. Given the rich behavioral research base in oncology, behavioral scientists are ideally positioned to lead the integration of evidence-based science on behavior and behavior change into the development of smartphone apps supporting patients with cancer. Smartphone apps are being disseminated to patients with cancer with claims of being able to help them negotiate areas of vulnerability in their cancer experience. However, the vast majority of these apps are developed without the rigor and expertise of behavioral scientists.

Objective

In this article, we have illustrated the importance of behavioral science leading the development and evaluation of apps to support patients with cancer by providing an illustrative scientific process that our team of behavioral scientists, patient stakeholders, medical oncologists, and software developers used to empirically design and evaluate 2 patient-focused apps: the Discussion of Cost App (DISCO App) and MyPatientPal.

Methods

Using a focused literature review and a descriptive roadmap of our team’s process for designing and evaluating patient-focused behavioral apps for patients with cancer, we have demonstrated how behavioral scientists are integral to the development of empirically sound apps to help support patients with cancer. Specifically, we have illustrated the process by which our multidisciplinary team combined the established user-centered design principles and behavioral science theory and scientific rigor to design and evaluate 2 patient-focused apps.

Results

On the basis of initial acceptability and feasibility testing among patients and providers, our team has demonstrated how critical behavioral science is for designing and evaluating app-based interventions for patients with cancer.

Conclusions

Behavioral science can and should be coupled with user-centered design principles to provide theoretical guidance and the rigor of the scientific method, thereby adding the much-needed and critical evidence for these types of app-based interventions for patients with cancer.

Financial Toxicity in Advanced and Metastatic Cancer: Overburdened and Underprepared

Patients with metastatic or advanced cancer are likely to be particularly susceptible to financial hardship for reasons related both to the characteristics of metastatic disease and to the characteristics of the population living with metastatic disease. First, metastatic cancer is a resource-intensive condition with expensive treatment and consistent, high-intensity monitoring. Second, patients diagnosed with metastatic disease are disproportionately uninsured and low income and from racial or ethnic minority groups. These vulnerable subpopulations have higher cancer related financial burden even in earlier stages of illness, potentially resulting from fewer asset reserves, nonexisting or less generous health insurance benefits, and employment in jobs with less flexibility and fewer employment protections. This combination of high financial need and high financial vulnerability makes those with advanced cancer an important population for additional study. In this article, we summarize why financial toxicity is burdensome for patients with advanced disease; review prior work in the metastatic or advanced settings specifically; and close with implications and recommendations for research, practice, and policy.

Collaborating on Data, Science, and Infrastructure: The 20-Year Journey of the Cancer Research Network

The Cancer Research Network (CRN) is a consortium of 12 research groups, each affiliated with a nonprofit integrated health care delivery system, that was first funded in 1998. The overall goal of the CRN is to support and facilitate collaborative cancer research within its component delivery systems. This paper describes the CRN's 20-year experience and evolution. The network combined its members' scientific capabilities and data resources to create an infrastructure that has ultimately supported over 275 projects. Insights about the strengths and limitations of electronic health data for research, approaches to optimizing multidisciplinary collaboration, and the role of a health services research infrastructure to complement traditional clinical trials and large observational datasets are described, along with recommendations for other research consortia.

Cancer-related financial hardship among head and neck cancer survivors: Risk factors and associations with health-related quality of life

OBJECTIVE

Cancer survivors are susceptible to financial hardship. In head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors, we investigated (a) predictors for cancer-related financial hardship and (b) associations between financial hardship and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study in HNC survivors identified from the National Cancer Registry Ireland. HRQoL was based on the Functional Assessment for Cancer Therapy General (FACT-G) plus Head and Neck Module (FACT-HN). Objective cancer-related financial hardship (financial stress) was assessed as household ability to make ends meet due to cancer and subjective financial hardship (financial strain) as feelings about household financial situation due to cancer. Modified Poisson regression was used to identify predictors for financial hardship. Bootstrap linear regression was used to estimate associations between hardship and FACT domain scores.

RESULTS

Pre-diagnosis retirement (relative risk [RR] 0.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.37-0.67), pre-diagnosis financial stress (RR 1.85, 95% CI 1.58-2.15), and treatment were significantly associated with objective financial hardship. Predictors of subjective financial hardship were similar: aged greater than or equal to 65 years, pre-diagnosis financial stress, and treatment. Participants with objective financial hardship reported significantly lower physical (coefficient -3.45, 95% CI -4.39 to -2.44), emotional (-2.01, 95% CI -2.83 to -1.24), functional (-2.56, 95% CI -3.77 to -1.33) and HN-specific HRQoL (-3.55, 95% CI -5.04 to -2.23). Physical, emotional, and functional HN-specific HRQoL were also significantly lower in participants with subjective financial hardship.

CONCLUSION

Cancer-related financial hardship is common and associated with worse HRQoL among HNC survivors. This supports the need for services and supports to address financial concerns among HNC survivors.

Patient recommendations for reducing long-lasting economic burden after breast cancer

Background

In the United States, patients who have breast cancer experience significant economic burden compared with those who have other types of cancers. Cancer‐related economic burden is exacerbated by adverse treatment effects. Strategies to resolve the economic burden caused by breast cancer and its adverse treatment effects have stemmed from the perspectives of health care providers, oncology navigators, and other subject‐matter experts. For the current study, patient‐driven recommendations were elicited to reduce economic burden after 1) breast cancer and 2) breast cancer‐related lymphedema, which is a common, persistent adverse effect of breast cancer.

Methods

Qualitative interviews were conducted with 40 long‐term breast cancer survivors who were residents of Pennsylvania or New Jersey in 2015 and were enrolled in a 6‐month observational study. Purposive sampling ensured equal representation by age, socioeconomic position, and lymphedema diagnosis. Semistructured interviews addressed economic challenges, supports used, and patient recommendations for reducing financial challenges. Interviews were coded, and representative quotes from the patient recommendations were analyzed and reported to illustrate key findings.

Results

Of 40 interviewees (mean age, 64 years; mean time since diagnosis, 12 years), 27 offered recommendations to reduce the economic burden caused by cancer and its adverse treatment effects. Nine recommendations emerged across 4 major themes: expanding affordable insurance and insurance‐covered items, especially for lymphedema treatment (among the 60% who reported lymphedema); supportive domestic help; financial assistance from diagnosis through treatment; and employment‐preserving policies.

Conclusions

The current study yielded 9 actionable, patient‐driven recommendations—changes to insurance, supportive services, financial assistance, and protective policies—to reduce breast cancer‐related economic burden. These recommendations should be tested through policy and programmatic interventions.

Nine actionable, patient‐driven recommendations are offered for reducing economic burden after breast cancer. Recommendations address changes to insurance, supportive services, financial assistance, and protective policies that can reduce economic burden after cancer.

Alerting the illusion of smoking improves quality of life in Chinese male cancer survivors

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between smoking status and quality of life (QOL) among cancer survivors in China.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was performed in 2725 male cancer survivors who were members of Cancer Rehabilitation Club and completed the questionnaires in 2013. Using linear regression models adjusted for confounders, we measured the association between QOL and former smokers as well as current (occasional, <10 cigarettes/day, and ≥ 10 cigarettes/day) smokers compared with never smokers.

RESULTS

Current smokers were reported to have higher scores in social, role, cognitive functioning, and had lower scores in nausea/vomiting, pain, dyspnea, and insomnia (P < 0.05). Former smokers had higher global health status and experienced less appetite loss and constipation (P < 0.05). Compared with never smokers, those former smokers and current smokers had significantly high scores on the global health status, social functioning, role functioning, and cognitive functioning (P < 0.05). And they had lower scores in some aspects of symptom scale (P < 0.05). Considering the dose of smoking, the scores were increased in functional subscales and decreased in symptom subscales with the increase of tobacco use, though few variables had statistical significance. As for smoking cessation, the proportion of lung cancer survivors who quit smoking was higher than that of other types of cancer survivors.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggested the possibility that in China, where smoking prevalence is still high, continued smoking was associated with high QOL scores. The phenomenon may be obscured by some potential reasons, including subjectivity of questionnaire, special substances of cigarettes, Chinese unique culture of tobacco use, and much more. The results reminded researchers and clinicians some underlying situations among smokers in China and prompted a strong call for the implementation of a comprehensive tobacco-control policy and specific public health educational strategies among not only lung cancer survivors but other types of cancers survivors.

Catastrophic financial effect of replacing informal care with formal care: a study based on haematological neoplasms

Informal care is a substantial source of support for people with cancer. However, various studies have predicted its disappearance in the near future. The aim of this study is to analyse the catastrophic effect resulting from the substitution of informal care with formal care in patients with blood cancer throughout the different stages of treatment. A total of 139 haematological neoplasm patients who underwent stem cell transplantation in Spain, completed a longitudinal questionnaire according to the three phases of treatment between 2012 and 2013. The economic value of informal care was estimated using proxy good, opportunity cost, and contingent valuation methods. Catastrophic health expenditure measures with thresholds ranging from 5 to 100% were used to value the financial burden derived from substitution. A total of 88.5% of patients reported having received informal care. In 85.37%, 80.49%, and 33.33% of households, more than 40% of their monthly income would have to be devoted to the replacement with formal care, with monthly amounts of €2105.22, €1790.86, and €1221.94 added to the 40% in the short, medium, and long-term, respectively (proxy good method, value = 9 €/h). Informal caregivers are a structural support for patients with blood cancer, assuming significant care time and societal costs. The substitution of informal care with formal care would be financially unaffordable by the families of people with blood cancer.

The Impact of Financial Toxicity on Psychological Well-Being, Coping Self-Efficacy, and Cost-Coping Behaviors in Young Adults with Cancer

Purpose: The increase in cost-sharing between patients and payers has resulted in financial toxicity in cancer patients, particularly among young adult (YA) patients and survivors (<40 years of age). This study explored financial toxicity and its impact on psychological well-being, self-efficacy for coping with cancer, and cost-coping behaviors among a sample of YA cancer patients and survivors. Methods: One hundred forty YAs completed an anonymous online survey. The Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity measured financial toxicity and the Cancer Behavior Inventory-Brief measured coping self-efficacy. The Patient Health Questionnaire-4 and items from the Impact of Cancer-Young Adult and the Cancer Needs Questionnaire-Young People assessed psychological well-being. A single item assessed cost-coping behaviors (i.e., skipping or delaying treatment because of its cost). Analyses included Pearson and Spearman correlation matrices and multivariate regression modeling. Results: Worse financial toxicity was associated with lower insurance satisfaction (r = 0.52, p < 0.001), higher levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms (r = -0.42, p < 0.001), greater worry (p < 0.001), and lower self-efficacy in coping with cancer (i.e., maintaining independence and a positive attitude, r = 0.41, p < 0.001; coping and stress management, r = 0.43, p < 0.001; and managing negative effect, r = 0.20, p = 0.02). In multivariate modeling, financial toxicity related to skipping or delaying treatment and greater anxiety and depression symptomology, controlling for relevant covariates. Conclusion: The findings suggest financial toxicity negatively impacts many facets of the YA cancer experience. There is a need to address the cost of cancer care with patients to ensure they are informed about the financial implications of treatment decisions and to support financial planning as needed.

Cancer survivorship care plans, financial toxicity, and financial planning alleviating financial distress among cancer survivors

Concomitant with the increasing use of cancer care plans has been an increasing awareness of the potential for oncology care to result in long-term financial burdens and financial toxicity. Cancer survivors can benefit from information on support and resources to help them navigate the challenges after acute cancer treatment. While cancer survivorship plans could be a vehicle for patients to receive information on how to mitigate financial toxicity, cancer survivorship plans have typically not dealt with the financial impact of cancer treatment or follow-up care. Embedding information into cancer survivorship plans on how to reduce or avoid financial toxicity presents an opportunity to address a highly prevalent patient need. Patient-centered qualitative studies are needed to assess the type, format, and level of detail of the information provided.

Determinants and Consequences of Financial Hardship Among Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer: A Report From the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Financial hardship among survivors of pediatric cancer has been understudied. We investigated determinants and consequences of financial hardship among adult survivors of childhood cancer.

METHODS

Financial hardship, determinants, and consequences were examined in 2811 long-term survivors (mean age at evaluation = 31.8 years, years postdiagnosis = 23.6) through the baseline survey and clinical evaluation. Financial hardship was measured by material, psychological, and coping/behavioral domains. Outcomes included health and life insurance affordability, retirement planning, symptoms, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Odds ratios (ORs) estimated associations of determinants with financial hardship. Odds ratios and regression coefficients estimated associations of hardship with symptom prevalence and HRQOL, respectively. All statistical tests were two-sided.

RESULTS

Among participants, 22.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 20.8% to 24.0%), 51.1% (95% CI = 49.2% to 52.9%), and 33.0% (95% CI = 31.1% to 34.6%) reported material, psychological, and coping/behavioral hardship, respectively. Risk factors across hardship domains included annual household income of $39 999 or less vs $80 000 or more (material OR = 3.04, 95% CI = 2.08 to 4.46, psychological OR = 3.64, 95% CI = 2.76 to 4.80, and coping/behavioral OR = 4.95, 95% CI = 3.57 to 6.86) and below high school attainment vs college graduate or above (material OR = 2.22, 95% CI = 1.45 to 3.42, psychological OR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.18 to 2.62, and coping/behavioral OR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.38 to 3.06). Myocardial infarction, peripheral neuropathy, subsequent neoplasm, seizure, stroke, reproductive disorders, amputation, and upper gastrointestinal disease were associated with higher material hardship (all P < .05). Hardship across three domains was associated with somatization, anxiety and depression (all P < .001), suicidal ideation (all P < .05), and difficulty in retirement planning (all P < .001). Survivors with hardship had statistically significantly lower HRQOL (all P < .001), sensation abnormality (all P < .001), and pulmonary (all P < .05) and cardiac (all P < .05) symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

A substantial proportion of adult survivors of childhood cancer experienced financial hardship. Vulnerable sociodemographic status and late effects were associated with hardship. Survivors with financial hardship had an increased risk of symptom prevalence and impaired HRQOL.

Financial Stress and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease in the Jackson Heart Study

INTRODUCTION

Financial hardship is associated with coronary heart disease risk factors, and may disproportionately affect some African American groups. This study examines whether stress because of financial hardship is associated with incident coronary heart disease in African Americans.

METHODS

The Jackson Heart Study is a longitudinal cohort study of cardiovascular disease risks in African Americans in the Jackson, Mississippi metropolitan statistical area. Participant enrollment began in 2000. Analyses were performed in 2017 and included adjudicated endpoints through December 2012. Financial stress was assessed from the Jackson Heart Study Weekly Stress Inventory and categorized into four levels: (1) did not experience financial stress, (2) no stress, (3) mild stress, and (4) moderate to high stress. Incident coronary heart disease was defined as the first event of definite or probable myocardial infarction, definite fatal myocardial infarction, definite fatal coronary heart disease, or cardiac procedure. There were 2,256 individuals in this analysis.

RESULTS

Participants with moderate to high (versus no) financial stress were more likely to have incident coronary heart disease events after controlling for demographics, SES, access to care, and traditional clinical risk factors (hazard ratio=2.42, 95% CI=1.13, 5.17). The association between financial stress and coronary heart disease was no longer statistically significant in a model adjusting for three specific risk factors: depression, smoking status, and diabetes (hazard ratio=1.99, 95% CI=0.91, 4.39).

CONCLUSIONS

Financial stress may be an unrecognized risk factor for coronary heart disease for African Americans. Additional research should examine these associations in intervention studies that address perceived stress, in addition to other coronary heart disease risk factors, in patients experiencing financial stress.

Financial burden amongst cancer patients treated with curative intent surgery alone

BACKGROUND

The costs of cancer care in the US continue to increase and may have serious consequences for patients. We hypothesize that even cancer patients treated with curative-intent surgery alone experience substantial financial burden.

METHODS

A questionnaire was administered to adult cancer patients who were treated with curative-intent surgery. Survey items included a validated instrument for measuring financial toxicity, the COST score. Demographic variables and survey responses were examined using Chi-square and Fisher exact tests. A multivariate general linear model was performed to examine the relationship between age and COST score.

RESULTS

COST scores varied widely. 30% of respondents had a COST score of ≤24 (high burden). Younger participants reported more financial burden (p = 0.008). Respondents reported that financial factors influenced their decisions regarding surgery (14%) and caused them to skip recommended care (4.7%). Cancer care influenced overall financial health (38%) and contributed to medical debt (26%).

CONCLUSION

Curative-intent cancer care places a substantial portion of patients at risk for financial toxicity even when they don't require chemotherapy. Interventions should not be limited to patients receiving chemotherapy.

Understanding care and outcomes in adolescents and young adult with Cancer: A review of the AYA HOPE study

Historically, adolescents and young adults (AYA) diagnosed with cancer have been an understudied population, and their unique care experiences, needs, and outcomes were not well understood. Thus, 10 years ago, the National Cancer Institute supported the fielding of the Adolescent and Young Adult Health Outcomes and Patient Experiences (AYA HOPE) study to address this gap. We recruited individuals diagnosed at ages 15 to 39 with germ cell, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and sarcoma from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results cancer registries into the first multicenter population-based study of medical care, physical, and mental health outcomes for AYAs with cancer in the United States. This review of the 17 published manuscripts showed low awareness of clinical trials and substantial impact of cancer on financial burden, education and work, relationships and family planning, and physical and mental health. It highlights the feasibility of a longitudinal population-based study and key lessons learned for research on AYAs with cancer in and beyond the United States.

Objective and subjective financial status and mortality among older adults in China

The association between financial status and mortality in older adults is well documented. However, it is unclear whether the association may vary by objective and subjective indicators of financial status. To examine this issue, we used the latest four waves (2005, 2008/2009, 2011/2012, and 2014) of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) of community-residing adults aged 65 and older (n = 25,954). Financial status was assessed using eight objective, subjective, and culturally-oriented measures to capture various dimensions of financial resources at older ages. Multivariate hazard models were used to examine how different indicators of financial status were associated with subsequent mortality in all older adults and by age, gender, and urban-rural residence. Results showed that higher financial status-either objective or subjective-was associated with lower risks of mortality. Subjective assessments of financial status had stronger associations with mortality than objective assessments. The patterns were generally similar between young-old (aged 65-79) and the oldest-old (aged 80+), between women and men, and between rural and urban areas. Together, the findings offer new evidence to help improve the socioeconomic gradient in mortality among older adults in China.

Burden Associated With Selecting and Using Health Insurance to Manage Care Costs: Results of a Qualitative Study of Nonelderly Cancer Survivors

This qualitative study explored cancer survivors' experiences selecting and using health insurance and anticipating out-of-pocket care costs. Thirty individuals participated in semistructured interviews. On average, participants were 54 years (SD ± 8.85, range 34-80) and diagnosed with cancer about 5 years prior (range 0.5-10 years). About 57% were female, 77% were non-Hispanic White, and 53% had less than a college education. Participants struggled to access information about health insurance and costs. Lack of cost transparency made it difficult to anticipate expenses and increased anxiety. Many participants were surprised that after cancer, care that was once preventive with no out-of-pocket costs became diagnostic with associated fees. They discussed the cognitive burden of managing finances on top of treatment and overseeing communication between doctors and insurance. Interventions are needed to clearly communicate information about insurance coverage and care costs to improve cancer survivors' confidence in selecting health insurance and anticipating out-of-pocket expenses.

Costs Associated with Productivity Loss Among U.S. Patients Newly Diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma Receiving Oral Versus Injectable Chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

The use of novel drug agents in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) has been associated with improved therapeutic outcomes and survival; however, MM continues to pose a significant economic burden on patients and health care systems. Evaluating economic implications of therapies can provide key points of distinctions between available treatment options. Patients with MM may experience productivity loss, including lost days from work or inability to work due to MM symptoms or to undergoing treatment. Although direct costs of illness have been well described in the literature, indirect costs associated with MM are understudied.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the extent of disability benefit use and resultant workplace productivity loss among U.S. adult patients with newly diagnosed MM who received oral versus injectable MM therapy.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Truven Health Analytics MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters, Medicare Supplemental Coordination of Benefits, and Health and Productivity Management databases (2008-2015). Workplace absenteeism, as measured by disability benefit use, was evaluated 1 year before and 1 year after first MM diagnosis. Patients receiving only oral chemotherapy were compared with those who received injectable therapy. Absenteeism days and associated costs were compared among study groups using multivariable zero-inflated Poisson regression.

RESULTS

The final study cohort included 299 patients with newly diagnosed MM, of whom 73 received oral therapy only and 226 received injectable therapy. Treatment type was a significant predictor of disability benefit use. Patients who received injectable therapy missed an average of 110 work days in the 1 year after diagnosis, compared with 87 for patients receiving only oral therapy (difference of 23 days, 95% CI = 19-26, P < 0.001). Treatment type was also a significant predictor of costs associated with lost productivity. Patients who received injectable therapy experienced productivity loss valued at $18,315, compared with patients who only received oral drug therapy ($14,429). The difference between these estimates was statistically significant ($3,886, 95% CI = $3,540-$4,231, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients newly diagnosed with MM face significant losses in productivity. Patients receiving injectable MM therapy use significantly more disability benefits and incur higher productivity costs, compared with those receiving oral MM therapy. Further studies elucidating the nature of the differences between injectable and noninjectable chemotherapy users are needed.

DISCLOSURES

This study was funded by Millennium Pharmaceuticals, a wholly owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company. Yong and Noga are employees of Millennium Pharmaceuticals. Merola reports personal fees from Millennium Pharmaceuticals during the time of this study.