Understanding the Relationship between Breast Reconstruction Subtype and Risk of Financial Toxicity: A Single-Institution Pilot Study

Screening for Financial Toxicity Among Patients With Cancer: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

Despite the pervasiveness and adverse impacts of financial toxicity (FT) in cancer care, there are no definitive measures for FT screening that have been widely integrated into clinical practice. The aim of this review is to evaluate current methods of assessing FT among patients with cancer and confirm factors associated with higher risk of FT.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. We included peer-reviewed studies that cross-sectionally, longitudinally, or prospectively measured the self-reported financial impact of patients undergoing cancer care in the United States.

RESULTS

Out of 1,085 identified studies, 51 met final inclusion criteria. Outcomes evaluated included FT measures or tools, time and setting of screening, FT prevalence, and sociodemographic or clinical patient-level associated factors. Our findings demonstrate that there is wide variability in FT screening practices including in the timing (diagnosis versus treatment versus survivorship), setting (clinic-based, online, telephone or mail), tools used (21 unique tools, 7 previously validated), and interpretations of screening results (varying FT score cutoffs defining high versus low FT). Younger age, lower income, lower education, non-White race, employment status change, advanced cancer stage, and systemic or radiation therapy were among factors associated with worse FT across the studies.

DISCUSSION

FT screening remains heterogenous within the United States. With the ever-escalating cost of cancer care, and the strong association between FT and poor patient outcomes, universal and routine FT screening is imperative in cancer care. Further research and multifaceted interventions identifying best practices for FT screening are needed.

Identifying the factors affecting financial toxicity status in patients with middle and advanced colorectal cancer: a cross-sectional study

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the second most prevalent type of cancer in China. The financial implications of treatment are a significant factor to be taken into account for patients diagnosed with middle and advanced stages of colorectal cancer (III-IV CRC). The research aims to explore current financial toxicity (FT) conditions and analyze factors that may influence it in patients with middle and advanced CRC.

Method

This is a cross-sectional survey. The participants of the study were individuals diagnosed with middle and advanced colorectal cancer who were admitted to the hospital between January and June 2023. The cross-sectional survey utilized a variety of instruments, including a general information questionnaire, a cancer patient report outcome economic toxicity scale, a medical coping style questionnaire, an Anderson symptom assessment scale, a disease shame scale, and a social support scale. Multiple linear regression analysis was employed to examine the factors influencing FT.

Result

A cohort of 264 patients diagnosed with stage III-IV CRC were included in the study. The majority of patients with intermediate and advanced CRC (87.1%, n = 230) reported experiencing substantial financial strain. Multivariate analysis revealed that factors influencing FT included low family monthly income, out-of-pocket expenses, unemployment, undergoing surgical treatment, the level of stigma, and the severity of symptoms (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Patients with stage III-IV cancer (CRC) demonstrate increased levels of financial toxicity (FT), a common occurrence in individuals with moderate to severe CRC. In patients with stage III-IV CRC, the presence of FT is correlated with various factors including family monthly income, medical payment methods, work status, surgical treatment, stigma levels, and symptom severity. These characteristics may serve as influencing factors for subsequent treatment decisions.

Cancer cost-related subjective financial distress among breast cancer: a scoping review

PURPOSE

This article provided a comprehensive scoping review, synthesizing existing literature on the financial distress faced by breast cancer patients. It examined the factors contributing to financial distress, the impact on patients, coping mechanisms employed, and potential alleviation methods. The goal was to organize existing evidence and highlight possible directions for future research.

METHODS

We followed the scoping review framework proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) to synthesize and report evidence. We searched electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library, for relevant literature. We included English articles that met the following criteria: (a) the research topic was financial distress or financial toxicity, (b) the research subjects were adult breast cancer patients, and (c) the article type was quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods research. We then extracted and integrated relevant information for reporting.

RESULTS

After removing duplicates, 5459 articles were retrieved, and 43 articles were included based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The articles addressed four main themes related to financial distress: factors associated with financial distress, impact on breast cancer patients, coping mechanisms, and potential methods for alleviation. The impact of financial distress on patients was observed in six dimensions: financial expenses, financial resources, social-psychological reactions, support seeking, coping care, and coping lifestyle. While some studies reported potential methods for alleviation, few discussed the feasibility of these solutions.

CONCLUSIONS

Breast cancer patients experience significant financial distress with multidimensional impacts. Comprehensive consideration of possible confounding factors is essential when measuring financial distress. Future research should focus on exploring and validating methods to alleviate or resolve this issue.

Perspectives, risk factors, and coping mechanisms in patients with self-reported financial burden following lung cancer surgery

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated self-reported financial burden (FB) after lung cancer surgery and sought to assess patient perspectives, risk factors, and coping mechanisms within this population.

METHODS

Patients with lung cancer resected at our institution between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2021, were surveyed. Descriptive and multivariable analyses were performed to evaluate the association between clinical and financial characteristics with patient-reported major ("significant" or "catastrophic") FB.

RESULTS

Of 1477 patients contacted, 31.3% (n = 463) completed the survey. Major FB was reported by 62 (13.4%) patients. multivariable analyses demonstrated increasing age (odds ratio [OR], 0.92; 95% CI, 0.88-0.96), credit score >740 (OR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.14-0.60), and employer-based insurance (OR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.07-0.80) were protective factors. In contrast, an out of pocket cost greater than expected (OR, 3.63; 95% CI, 1.67-7.88), decrease in work hours (OR, 4.42; 95% CI, 1.59-12.25), or cessation of work (OR, 5.13; 95% CI, 2.06-12.78), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease diagnosis (OR, 5.39, 95% CI, 1.87-15.50), and hospital readmission (OR, 4.87; 95% CI, 1.11-21.42) were risk factors for FB. To pay for care, some patients reported "often" or "always" decreasing food (n = 102 [23.4%]) or leisure spending (n = 179 [40.7%]). Additionally, use of savings (n = 246 [62.9%]), borrowing funds (n = 72 [16.6%]), and skipping clinic visits (n = 36 [8.3%]) at least once were also reported. Coping mechanisms occurred more often in patients with major FB compared with those without (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with resected lung cancer may experience major FB related to treatment with several identifiable risk factors. Targeted interventions are needed to limit the adoption of detrimental coping mechanisms and potentially affect survivorship.

Rates of price disclosure associated with the surgical treatment of early-stage breast cancer one year after implementation of federal regulations

PURPOSE

Mastectomy, breast reconstruction (BR) and breast conserving therapy (BCT) are core components of the treatment paradigm for early-stage disease but are differentially associated with significant financial burdens. Given recent price transparency regulations, we sought to characterize rates of disclosure for breast cancer-related surgery, including mastectomy, BCT, and BR (oncoplastic reconstruction, implant, pedicled flap and free flap) and identify associated factors.

METHODS

For this cross-sectional analysis, cost reports were obtained from the Turquoise Health price transparency platform for all U.S. hospitals meeting national accreditation standards for breast cancer care. The Healthcare Cost Report Information System was used to collect facility-specific data. Addresses were geocoded to identify hospital referral and census regions while data from CMS was also used to identify the geographic practice cost index. We leveraged a Poisson regression model and relevant Medicare billing codes to analyze factors associated with price disclosure and the availability of an OOP price estimator.

RESULTS

Of 447 identified hospitals, 221 (49.4%) disclosed prices for mastectomy and 188 42.1%) disclosed prices for both mastectomy and some form of reconstruction including oncoplastic reduction (n = 184, 97.9%), implants (n = 187, 99.5%), pedicled flaps (n = 89, 47.3%), and free flaps (n = 81, 43.1%). Non-profit status and increased market competition were associated with price nondisclosure. 121 hospitals (27.1%) had an out-of-pocket price estimator that included at least one breast surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Most eligible hospitals did not disclose prices for breast cancer surgery. Distinct hospital characteristics were associated with price disclosure. Breast cancer patients face persistent difficulty in accessing costs.

Financial Toxicity in Patients With Resected Lung Cancer

OBJECTIVES

To describe financial toxicity (FT) in patients with resected lung cancer and identify risk factors in this population.

BACKGROUND

FT describes the financial burden associated with cancer care and its impact on the quality of survivorship. Few prior studies have examined FT in patients with lung cancer.

METHODS

Patients who underwent lung cancer resection at our institution between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2021, were surveyed to gather demographic information and evaluate FT using a validated questionnaire. A multivariable model was built to identify risk factors for FT.

RESULTS

Of the total, 1477 patients were contacted, of whom 463 responded (31.3%). Most patients were stage I (n = 349, 75.4%) and lobectomy was performed often (n = 290, 62.8%). There were 196 patients (42.3%) who experienced FT. Upon multivariable analyses, divorced marital status [odds ratio (OR) = 3.658, 95% CI: 1.180-11.337], household income <$40,000 (OR = 2.544, 95% CI: 1.003-6.455), credit score below 739 (OR = 2.744, 95% CI: 1.326-5.679), clinical stage >I (OR = 2.053, 95% CI: 1.088-3.877), and change in work hours or work cessation (all P < 0.05) were associated with FT. Coping mechanisms, such as decreased spending on food or clothing and increased use of savings or borrowing money, were more likely to be reported by patients experiencing FT than those who did not ( P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients undergoing lung cancer resection often experienced significant financial stress with several identifiable risk factors. FT should be considered early in the care of these patients to alleviate detrimental coping mechanisms and enhance their quality of survivorship.

Complications, Costs, and Healthcare Resource Utilization After Staged, Delayed, and Immediate Free-Flap Breast Reconstruction: A Longitudinal, Claims-Based Analysis

BACKGROUND

There is a lack of consensus detailing the optimal approach to free-flap breast reconstruction when considering immediate, delayed, or staged techniques. This study compared costs, complications, and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) across staged, delayed, and immediate free-flap breast reconstruction.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective study using MarketScan databases to identify women who underwent mastectomies and free-flap reconstructions between 2014 and 2018. Complications, costs, and HCRU [readmission, reoperation, emergency department (ED) visits] occurring 90 days after mastectomy and 90 days after free flap were compared across immediate, delayed, and staged reconstruction.

RESULTS

Of 3310 women identified, 69.8% underwent immediate, 11.7% underwent delayed, and 18.5% underwent staged free-flap reconstruction. Staged reconstruction was associated with the highest rate (57.8% staged, 42.3% delayed, 32.0% immediate; p < 0.001) and adjusted relative risk [67% higher than immediate (95% CI: 49-87%; p < 0.001)] of surgical complications. Staged displayed the highest HCRU (staged 47.9%, delayed, 38.4%, immediate 25.2%; p < 0.001), with 16.5%, 30.7%, and 26.5% of staged patients experiencing readmission, reoperation, or ED visit, respectively. The adjusted probability of HCRU was 206% higher (95% CI: 156-266%; p < 0.001) for staged compared with immediate. Staged had the highest mean total cost (staged $106,443, delayed $80,667, immediate $76,756; p < 0.001) with regression demonstrating the adjusted mean cost for staged is 31% higher (95% CI: 23-39%; p < 0.001) when compared with immediate.

CONCLUSIONS

Staged free-flap reconstruction is associated with increased complications, costs, and HCRU, while immediate demonstrated the lowest. The potential esthetic benefits of a staged approach should be balanced with the increased risk for adverse events after surgery.

Association between patient-surgeon race and gender concordance and patient-reported outcomes following breast cancer surgery

PURPOSE

Surgeon- and patient-related factors have been shown to influence patient experiences, quality of life (QoL), and surgical outcomes. We examined the association between patient-surgeon race and gender concordance with QoL after breast reconstruction.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of patients who underwent lumpectomy or mastectomy followed by breast reconstruction over a 3-year period. We created the following categories with respect to the race and gender of a patient-surgeon triad: no, intermediate, and perfect concordance. Multivariable regression was used to correlate postoperative global (SF-12) and condition-specific (BREAST-Q) QoL performance with patient-level covariates, gender and race concordance.

RESULTS

We identified 375 patients with a mean (± SD) age of 57.6 ± 11.9 years, median (IQR) body mass index of 27.5 (24.0, 32.0), and median morbidity burden of 3 (2, 4). The majority of encounters were of intermediate concordance for gender (70%) and race (52%). Compared with gender-discordant triads, intermediate gender concordance was associated with higher SF-Mental scores (β, 2.60; 95% CI, 0.21-4.99, p = 0.003). Perfect race concordance (35% of encounters) was associated with significantly higher adjusted SF-Physical scores (β, 2.14; 95% CI, 0.50-4.22, p = 0.045) than the race-discordant group. There were no significant associations observed between race or gender concordance and BREAST-Q performance.

CONCLUSION

Race-concordant relationships following breast cancer surgery were more likely to have improved global QoL. Perfect gender concordance was not associated with variation in QoL outcomes. Policy-level interventions are needed to facilitate personalized care and optimize breast cancer surgery outcomes.

Area Deprivation Index is Associated with Variation in Quality of Life and Psychosocial Well-being Following Breast Cancer Surgery

BACKGROUND

Neighborhood-level factors have been shown to influence surgical outcomes through material deprivation, psychosocial mechanisms, health behaviors, and access to resources. To date, no study has examined the relationship between area-level deprivation (ADI) and post-mastectomy outcomes.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey of adult female breast cancer patients who underwent lumpectomy or mastectomy between January 2018 to June 2019 was carried out. Patient-specific characteristics and ADI information were abstracted and correlated with postoperative global- (SF-12) and condition-specific (BREAST-Q) quality-of-life performance via multivariable regression. Patients were classified into three ADI terciles: 0-39 (low deprivation), 40-59 (moderate deprivation), and 60-100 (high deprivation).

RESULTS

A total of 564 consecutive patients were identified, being mostly white (75%) with mean age of 60.2 ± 12.4 years, median body mass index of 27.8 [interquartile range (IQR) 24.3-32.2) kg/m², median Charlson Comorbidity Index of 3 (IQR 2-5), and mean ADI of 42.3 ± 25.7. African American and Hispanic patients and those with high BMI were more likely to reside in highly deprived neighborhoods (p = 0.003 and p < 0.001). In adjusted models, patients in highly deprived neighborhoods had significantly lower mean SF-12 physical (44.9 [95% CI, 43.8-46.0] versus 44.9 [95% CI, 43.7-46.1] versus 46.3 [95% CI, 45.3-47.3], p = 0.03) and BREAST-Q psychosocial well-being scores (63.5 [95% CI, 59.32-67.8] versus 69.3 [95% CI, 65.1-73.6] versus 69.7 [95% CI, 66.4-73.1], p = 0.01) relative to moderate- and low-deprivation groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients residing in the most deprived neighborhoods were identified to have worse psychological well-being and quality-of-life. The ADI should be incorporated into the shared decision-making process and perioperative counseling to engender value-based and personalized care, especially for vulnerable populations.