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Yabroff KR, Sylvia Shi K, Zhao J, Freedman AN, Zheng Z, Nogueira L, Han X, Klabunde CN, de Moor JS. Importance of Patient Health Insurance Coverage and Out-of-Pocket Costs for Genomic Testing in Oncologists' Treatment Decisions. JCO Oncol Pract 2024; 20:429-437. [PMID: 38194620 DOI: 10.1200/op.23.00153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Use of genomic testing, especially multimarker panels, is increasing in the United States. Not all tests and related treatments are covered by health insurance, which can result in substantial patient out-of-pocket (OOP) costs. Little is known about oncologists' treatment decisions with respect to patient insurance coverage and OOP costs for genomic testing. METHODS We identified 1,049 oncologists who used multimarker tumor panels from the 2017 National Survey of Precision Medicine in Cancer Treatment. Separate multivariable ordinal logistic regressions examined associations of oncologist-, practice-, and area-level characteristics and oncologists' ratings of importance (very, somewhat, or a little/not important) of insurance coverage and OOP costs for genomic testing in treatment decisions, adjusting for oncologist years of experience, sex, race and ethnicity, specialty, use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) tests, region, tumor boards, patient insurance mix, and area-level socioeconomic characteristics. RESULTS Among oncologists, 47.3%, 32.7%, and 20.0% reported that patient insurance coverage for genomic testing was very, somewhat, or a little/not important, respectively, in treatment decisions. In addition, 56.9%, 28.0%, and 15.2% reported that OOP costs for testing were very, somewhat, or a little/not important, respectively. In adjusted analyses, oncologists who used NGS tests were more likely to report patient insurance and OOP costs as important (odds ratio [OR], 2.00 [95% CI, 1.16 to 3.45] and OR, 2.12 [95% CI, 1.22 to 3.68], respectively) in treatment decisions compared with oncologists who did not use these tests, as were oncologists who treated solid tumors, rather than only hematological cancers. More years of experience and higher percentages of Medicaid or self-paid/uninsured patients in the practice were associated with reporting insurance coverage (OR, 1.43 [95% CI, 1.09 to 1.89]) and OOP costs (OR, 1.51 [95% CI, 1.13 to 2.01]) as important. Oncologists in practices with molecular tumor boards for genomic tests were less likely to report coverage (OR, 0.63 [95% CI, 0.47 to 0.85]) and OOP costs (OR, 0.72 [95% CI, 0.53 to 0.97]) as important than their counterparts in practices without these tumor boards. CONCLUSION Most oncologists rate patient health insurance and OOP costs for genomic tests as important considerations in subsequent treatment recommendations. Modifiable factors associated with these ratings can inform interventions to support patient-physician decision making about care.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Robin Yabroff
- Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA
| | - Kewei Sylvia Shi
- Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA
| | - Jingxuan Zhao
- Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA
| | - Andrew N Freedman
- Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD
| | - Zhiyuan Zheng
- Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA
| | - Leticia Nogueira
- Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA
| | - Xuesong Han
- Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA
| | - Carrie N Klabunde
- Office of Disease Prevention, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD
| | - Janet S de Moor
- Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD
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You W, Pilehvari A, Shi R, Cohn W, Sheffield C, Chow PI, Krukowski BA, Anderson R. A multi-dimensional assessment of financial hardship of cancer patients using existing health system data. Cancer Med 2023; 12:22263-22277. [PMID: 37987094 PMCID: PMC10757134 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Existing financial hardship screening does not capture the multifaceted and dynamic nature of the problem. The use of existing health system data is a promising way to enable scalable and sustainable financial hardship screening. METHODS We used existing data from 303 adult patients with cancer at the University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Center (2016-2018). All received distress screening and had a valid financial assistance screening based solely on household size-adjusted income. We constructed a composite index that integrates multiple existing health system data (Epic, distress screening, and cancer registry) to assess comprehensive financial hardship (e.g., material conditions, psychological responses, and coping behaviors). We examined differences of at-risk patients identified by our composite index and by existing single-dimension criterion. Dynamics of financial hardship over time, by age, and cancer type, were examined by fractional probit models. RESULTS At-risk patients identified by the composite index were generally younger, better educated, and had a higher annual household income, though they had lower health insurance coverage. Identified periods to intervene for most patients are before formal diagnosis, 2 years, and 6 years after diagnosis. Within 2 years of diagnosis and more than 4 years after diagnosis appear critical for subgroups of patients who may suffer from financial hardship disparities. CONCLUSION Existing health system data provides opportunities to systematically measure and track financial hardship in a systematic, scalable and sustainable way. We find that the dimensions of financial hardship can exhibit different patterns over time and across patient subgroups, which can guide targeted interventions. The scalability of the algorithm is limited by existing data availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen You
- University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer CenterCharlottesvilleVirginiaUSA
| | - Asal Pilehvari
- University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer CenterCharlottesvilleVirginiaUSA
| | - Ruoding Shi
- University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer CenterCharlottesvilleVirginiaUSA
| | - Wendy Cohn
- University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer CenterCharlottesvilleVirginiaUSA
| | - Christina Sheffield
- University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer CenterCharlottesvilleVirginiaUSA
| | - Philip I‐Fon Chow
- University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer CenterCharlottesvilleVirginiaUSA
| | | | - Roger Anderson
- University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer CenterCharlottesvilleVirginiaUSA
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Joyce DD, Dusetzina SB. Financial toxicity of oral therapies in advanced prostate cancer. Urol Oncol 2023; 41:363-368. [PMID: 37029039 DOI: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2023.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
The treatment landscape of advanced prostate cancer (CaP) has evolved significantly over the past 20 years. As the number of oral anticancer treatment options continues to increase, so do the costs of these drugs. Furthermore, payment responsibility for these treatments is increasingly shifted from insurers to patients. In this narrative review, we sought to summarize existing assessments of financial toxicity (FT) associated with oral advanced CaP treatments, describe efforts targeted at limiting FT from these agents, and identify areas in need of further investigation. FT is understudied in advanced CaP. Oral treatment options are associated with significantly higher direct costs to patients compared to standard androgen deprivation therapy or chemotherapy. Financial assistance programs, Medicare low-income subsidies, and recent health policy changes help offset these costs for some patients. Physicians are reluctant to discuss treatment costs with patients and further work is needed to better understand best practices for inclusion of FT discussions in shared decision-making. Oral therapies for advanced CaP are associated with significantly higher patient out-of-pocket costs which may contribute to FT. Currently, little is known regarding the extent and severity of these costs on patients' lives. While recent policy changes have helped reduce these costs for some patients, more work is needed to better characterize FT in this population to inform interventions that improve access to care and lessen the harms associated with the cost of novel treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stacie B Dusetzina
- Department of Health Policy, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
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4
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Halpern MT, de Moor JS, Han X, Zhao J, Zheng Z, Yabroff KR. Association of Employment Disruptions and Financial Hardship Among Individuals Diagnosed with Cancer in the United States: Findings from a Nationally Representative Study. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:1830-1839. [PMID: 37705562 PMCID: PMC10496757 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Financial hardship (FH), defined as adverse patient effects due to cancer costs, is experienced by approximately half of individuals diagnosed with cancer. Many individuals diagnosed with cancer also experience disruptions with their employment. This study examines associations of employment disruptions and FH among a nationally representative sample of individuals diagnosed with cancer in the United States. We utilized 2016/2017 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Experiences with Cancer data from individuals who worked for pay following cancer diagnosis. Employment disruption included taking extended paid time off work; switching to part-time/less demanding jobs; and/or retiring early due to cancer diagnosis/treatment. FH domains included: material (e.g., borrowing money/financial sacrifices); psychologic (e.g., worrying about medical bills/income); and behavioral (delaying/forgoing healthcare services because of cost). Multivariable logistic regression analyses determined associations of employment disruption and FH. Among 732 individuals with a cancer history, 47.4% experienced employment disruptions; 55.9% experienced any FH. Any FH was significantly more common among individuals with versus without employment disruptions across multiple measures and domains (68.7% vs. 44.5%; P value of difference <0.0001). Individuals with employment disruptions were more likely to have any FH [OR, 2.38; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.62-3.52] and more FHs (OR, 2.76; 95% CI, 1.96-3.89]. This study highlights that employment disruptions are common and significantly associated with multiple domains of FH among individuals with a cancer history. Employer workplace accommodation, physician discussions regarding potential impacts of cancer care on employment, and other policies to minimize employment disruptions among individuals diagnosed with cancer may reduce FH in this vulnerable population. Significance Individuals diagnosed with cancer may have employment disruptions; they may also develop FHs. People with cancer who have employment changes are more likely to also have FHs. Physicians and employers can help individuals with cancer through advancing planning, workplace assistance, and improved medical leave and insurance policies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Xuesong Han
- Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jingxuan Zhao
- Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Zhiyuan Zheng
- Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - K. Robin Yabroff
- Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
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Yabroff KR, Zhao J, Chen MH, Hoque J, Arias G, Han X, Zheng Z. Financial hardship and psychosocial well-being and quality of life among prostate cancer survivors in the United States. Urol Oncol 2023; 41:380-386. [PMID: 37202329 DOI: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2023.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis among men in the United States and the prevalence of prostate cancer survivors is growing. Cancer treatment and lasting or late effects of disease and treatment can adversely affect financial health, psychosocial well-being, and health-related quality of life for prostate cancer survivors, even many years after cancer diagnosis and treatment. These outcomes are important, especially because most men live for many years following a prostate cancer diagnosis. In this essay, we describe health care spending associated with prostate cancer, including patient out-of-pocket costs, and summarize research examining medical financial hardship and associations of financial hardship and psychosocial well-being and health-related quality of life among cancer survivors. We then discuss implications for health care delivery and opportunities to mitigate financial hardship for patients with prostate cancer and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Robin Yabroff
- Department of Surveillance and Health Equity Sciences, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA.
| | - Jingxuan Zhao
- Department of Surveillance and Health Equity Sciences, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA
| | - Min Hsuan Chen
- Department of Surveillance and Health Equity Sciences, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA; Department of Public Policy, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Washington, DC
| | - Jennifer Hoque
- Department of Public Policy, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Washington, DC
| | - Gladys Arias
- Department of Public Policy, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Washington, DC
| | - Xuesong Han
- Department of Surveillance and Health Equity Sciences, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA
| | - Zhiyuan Zheng
- Department of Surveillance and Health Equity Sciences, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA
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Joyce DD, Sharma V, Williams SB. Cost-Effectiveness and Economic Impact of Bladder Cancer Management: An Updated Review of the Literature. PHARMACOECONOMICS 2023; 41:751-769. [PMID: 37088844 DOI: 10.1007/s40273-023-01273-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Bladder cancer remains one of the costliest malignancies to manage. We provide a narrative review of literature assessing the economic burden and cost-effectiveness of bladder cancer treatment and surveillance. This is an update to a previous review and focuses on data published within the past 10 years. We queried PubMed and MEDLINE for all bladder cancer cost-related literature between 2013 and 2023. After initial screening, 117 abstracts were identified, 50 of which were selected for inclusion in our review. Management of disease recurrence and treatment complications contributes significantly to the high cost of care. High-value interventions are therefore treatments that improve recurrence-free and overall survival at minimal additional toxicity. De-escalation of surveillance and diagnostic interventions may help to reduce costs in this space without compromising oncologic control. The persistently rising cost of novel cancer drugs undermines their value when only modest gains in efficacy are observed. Multiple cost-effectiveness analyses have been published and are useful for contextualizing the cost, efficacy, and impact on quality of life that interventions have in this population. Further cost-effectiveness work is needed to better characterize the impact that treatment costs have on patients' financial well-being and quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vidit Sharma
- Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Stephen B Williams
- Division of Urology, High Value Care, UTMB Health System, The University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX, 77555-0540, USA.
- Department of Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
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Moreira A, Bernardo C, Ramos C, Aguiar P, Alves da Costa F. National trends in the use of oral chemotherapy over 13 years. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:909948. [PMID: 36034797 PMCID: PMC9399396 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.909948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Systemic cancer therapy has traditionally been administered using an intravenous (IV) route, implying patients’ frequent visits to hospitals to access to their therapy. If we consider the actual pipeline in oncology, oral chemotherapy will be the main component of cancer treatment in the next few years. This shift in the administration route requires different care models in order to guarantee treatment efficacy and safety. Objective: To analyze time trends in oral chemotherapy consumption in Portugal. Method: Oral chemotherapy consumption over a 13-year period (2008–2020) was analyzed, considering dispensed units by the administration route with respective costs, resorting to the drug regulatory agency (INFARMED I.P.) database. Oral consumption patterns were further explored using common daily doses (CDD) for three conditions, including chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and breast cancer (BC), to adjust for the effect of varying doses. Data were analyzed descriptively resorting to Microsoft Office Excel 2010. Results: Overall chemotherapy consumption increased +Δ54.7%, with the highest contribution in units observed in oral forms (+Δ58.8%). The total expenditure increased +Δ96.5%, and despite the increase in oral forms (+Δ221.6%), intravenous forms continued to be the major cost driver, with an important contribution from immunotherapy. Much of the increase was led by the approval of 40 new IV and 48 new oral cancer medications with higher costs introduced in the market. Using CDD as an alternative metric to units had varying impacts by indication. The observed increases seemed to focus on specific cancer sites with varying effect; in CML, there was a 2.39-fold increase, compared to 4.41 for NSCLC and 1.86 for BC. However, for BC, two distinct sub-patterns were observed for hormone therapy (increasing 1.83) and for the novel tyrosine kinase inhibitors (increasing 40.8). Conclusion: The growing use of oral chemotherapy is obvious and calls for investments in supporting patients in managing medication adherence and adverse events. The shifts in the healthcare system are complex and need to be prioritized. Our data suggest that priority could be attributed to cancer sites driving innovation, namely, advanced breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Moreira
- Medical Oncology Department, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Lisbon Francisco Gentil, Lisbon, Portugal
- National School of Public Health, Nova University Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - C. Bernardo
- South-Regional Cancer Registry and Epidemiology Research Unit, Institute of Lisbon Francisco Gentil, Lisbon, Portugal
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - C. Ramos
- South-Regional Cancer Registry and Epidemiology Research Unit, Institute of Lisbon Francisco Gentil, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - P. Aguiar
- National School of Public Health, Nova University Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - F. Alves da Costa
- South-Regional Cancer Registry and Epidemiology Research Unit, Institute of Lisbon Francisco Gentil, Lisbon, Portugal
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- *Correspondence: F. Alves da Costa,
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Yabroff KR, Han X, Song W, Zhao J, Nogueira L, Pollack CE, Jemal A, Zheng Z. Association of Medical Financial Hardship and Mortality Among Cancer Survivors in the United States. J Natl Cancer Inst 2022; 114:863-870. [PMID: 35442439 PMCID: PMC9194618 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djac044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer survivors frequently experience medical financial hardship in the United States. Little is known, however, about long-term health consequences. This study examines the associations of financial hardship and mortality in a large nationally representative sample of cancer survivors. METHODS We identified cancer survivors aged 18-64 years (n = 14 917) and 65-79 years (n = 10 391) from the 1997-2014 National Health Interview Survey and its linked mortality files with vital status through December 31, 2015. Medical financial hardship was measured as problems affording care or delaying or forgoing any care because of cost in the past 12 months. Risk of mortality was estimated with separate weighted Cox proportional hazards models by age group with age as the timescale, controlling for the effects of sociodemographic characteristics. Health insurance coverage was added sequentially to multivariable models. RESULTS Among cancer survivors aged 18-64 years and 65-79 years, 29.6% and 11.0%, respectively, reported financial hardship in the past 12 months. Survivors with hardship had higher adjusted mortality risk than their counterparts in both age groups: 18-64 years (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.04 to 1.30) and 65-79 years (HR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.02 to 1.28). Further adjustment for health insurance reduced the magnitude of association of hardship and mortality among survivors aged 18-64 years (HR = 1.09, 95% CI = 0.97 to 1.24). Adjustment for supplemental Medicare coverage had little effect among survivors aged 65-79 years (HR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.02 to 1.29). CONCLUSION Medical financial hardship was associated with mortality risk among cancer survivors in the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Robin Yabroff
- Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Xuesong Han
- Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Weishan Song
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jingxuan Zhao
- Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Leticia Nogueira
- Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Craig E Pollack
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ahmedin Jemal
- Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Zhiyuan Zheng
- Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Inguva S, Priyadarshini M, Shah R, Bhattacharya K. Financial toxicity and its impact on health outcomes and caregiver burden among adult cancer survivors in the USA. Future Oncol 2022; 18:1569-1581. [PMID: 35129377 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2021-1282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: To examine the association between cancer-related financial toxicity on cancer survivors' physical and mental health outcomes and caregiver burden. Materials & methods: 2016-2017 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data were used to identify adult cancer survivors with cancer-related financial toxicity. Multivariable regression analyses were employed to examine the association between cancer-related financial toxicity and cancer survivors' self-reported physical and mental health outcomes and caregiver burden. Results: A total of 53.7% of adult cancer survivors reported experiencing financial toxicity. Those who experienced financial toxicity reported 14% greater pain, and poorer physical and mental health outcomes as compared to those who did not experience financial toxicity, ranging from 38% greater odds for activity limitations to 427% greater odds for mental task limitation. Moreover, cancer survivors with financial toxicity reported 206% greater odds for caregiver burden. Conclusions: Intervention programs for reducing financial toxicity among adult cancer survivors and their caregivers should be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushmitha Inguva
- Center for Pharmaceutical Marketing & Management, University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, University, MS 38677, USA.,Department of Pharmacy Administration, University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, University, MS 38677, USA
| | | | | | - Kaustuv Bhattacharya
- Center for Pharmaceutical Marketing & Management, University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, University, MS 38677, USA.,Department of Pharmacy Administration, University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, University, MS 38677, USA
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Khushalani JS, Song S, Calhoun BH, Puddy RW, Kucik JE. Preventing Leading Causes of Death: Systematic Review of Cost-Utility Literature. Am J Prev Med 2022; 62:275-284. [PMID: 34736801 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2021.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Heart disease, cancer, unintentional injury, chronic lower respiratory disease, and stroke are the 5 leading causes of death in the U.S. The objective of this review is to examine the economic value of prevention interventions addressing these 5 conditions. METHODS Tufts Medical Center Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Registry data were queried from 2010 to 2018 for interventions that addressed any of the 5 conditions in the U.S. Results were stratified by condition, prevention stage, type of intervention, study sponsorship, and study perspective. The analyses were conducted in 2020, and all costs were reported in 2019 dollars. RESULTS In total, 549 cost-effectiveness analysis studies examined interventions addressing these 5 conditions in the U.S. Tertiary prevention interventions were assessed in 61.4%, whereas primary prevention was assessed in 8.6% of the studies. Primary prevention studies were predominantly funded by government, whereas industry sources funded more tertiary prevention studies, especially those dealing with pharmaceutical interventions. The median incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for the 5 conditions combined was $68,500 per quality-adjusted life year. Median incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were lowest for primary prevention and highest for tertiary prevention. DISCUSSION Primary prevention may be more cost effective than secondary and tertiary prevention interventions; however, research investments in primary prevention interventions, especially by industry, lag in comparison. These findings help to highlight the gaps in the cost-effectiveness analysis literature related to the 5 leading causes of death and identify understudied interventions and prevention stages for each condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaya S Khushalani
- Office of the Associate Director for Policy and Strategy, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
| | - Suhang Song
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, Tennessee
| | - Brian H Calhoun
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, Tennessee
| | - Richard W Puddy
- Office of the Associate Director for Policy and Strategy, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - James E Kucik
- Office of the Associate Director for Policy and Strategy, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
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11
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Yabroff KR, Mariotto A, Tangka F, Zhao J, Islami F, Sung H, Sherman RL, Henley SJ, Jemal A, Ward EM. Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, Part 2: Patient Economic Burden Associated With Cancer Care. J Natl Cancer Inst 2021; 113:1670-1682. [PMID: 34698839 PMCID: PMC9891103 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djab192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and North American Association of Central Cancer Registries provide annual information about cancer occurrence and trends in the United States. Part 1 of this annual report focuses on national cancer statistics. This study is part 2, which quantifies patient economic burden associated with cancer care. METHODS We used complementary data sources, linked Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare, and the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey to develop comprehensive estimates of patient economic burden, including out-of-pocket and patient time costs, associated with cancer care. The 2000-2013 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare data were used to estimate net patient out-of-pocket costs among adults aged 65 years and older for the initial, continuing, and end-of-life phases of care for all cancer sites combined and separately for the 21 most common cancer sites. The 2008-2017 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data were used to calculate out-of-pocket costs and time costs associated with cancer among adults aged 18-64 years and 65 years and older. RESULTS Across all cancer sites, annualized net out-of-pocket costs for medical services and prescriptions drugs covered through a pharmacy benefit among adults aged 65 years and older were highest in the initial ($2200 and $243, respectively) and end-of-life phases ($3823 and $448, respectively) and lowest in the continuing phase ($466 and $127, respectively), with substantial variation by cancer site. Out-of-pocket costs were generally higher for patients diagnosed with later-stage disease. Net annual time costs associated with cancer were $304.3 (95% confidence interval = $257.9 to $350.9) and $279.1 (95% confidence interval = $215.1 to $343.3) for adults aged 18-64 years and ≥65 years, respectively, with higher time costs among more recently diagnosed survivors. National patient economic burden, including out-of-pocket and time costs, associated with cancer care was projected to be $21.1 billion in 2019. CONCLUSIONS This comprehensive study found that the patient economic burden associated with cancer care is substantial in the United States at the national and patient levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Robin Yabroff
- Correspondence to: K. Robin Yabroff, PhD, Department of Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, 3380 Chastain Meadows Pkwy NW, Suite 200, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA (e-mail: )
| | - Angela Mariotto
- Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Florence Tangka
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jingxuan Zhao
- Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Kennesaw, GA, USA
| | - Farhad Islami
- Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Kennesaw, GA, USA
| | - Hyuna Sung
- Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Kennesaw, GA, USA
| | - Recinda L Sherman
- North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, Springfield, IL, USA
| | - S Jane Henley
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ahmedin Jemal
- Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Kennesaw, GA, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Ward
- North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, Springfield, IL, USA
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Zeybek B, Webster E, Pogosian N, Tymon-Rosario J, Balch A, Altwerger G, Clark M, Menderes G, Huang G, Azodi M, Ratner ES, Schwartz PE, Santin AD, Andikyan V. Financial toxicity in patients with gynecologic malignancies: a cross sectional study. J Gynecol Oncol 2021; 32:e87. [PMID: 34431257 PMCID: PMC8550931 DOI: 10.3802/jgo.2021.32.e87] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate financial toxicity and assess its risk factors among patients with gynecologic cancers. METHODS This is a cross sectional study that included 2 survey tools, as well as patient demographics, disease characteristics, and treatment regimen. Financial toxicity is measured by validated Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST) tool. Participants were also asked to complete a 55-question-survey on attitudes and perspectives surrounding cost of care. Descriptive statistics was used to report patient demographics. Spearman's rank correlation was calculated to assess the relation between financial toxicity and patient/disease related variables. Graphpad Prism Software Version 8.0 was used for analyses. RESULTS A total of 50 patients with various gynecologic malignancies were enrolled. Median COST score was 20.5 (range, 1-33). Sixty-five percent of the patients reported being in debt due to their cancer care and 4% filed bankruptcy. Correlation analysis showed that COST score was correlated with age (r=-0.3, p=0.028), malignancy type (r=0.3, p=0.039) and income (r=0.3, p=0.047). Ovarian cancer patients had significantly less financial toxicity (median COST score=23) when compared to patients with other gynecologic malignancies (median COST score=17, p=0.043). When scores were dichotomized into low (score ≥22) and high toxicity (score <22), 58% (29/50) of the patients were noted to have high financial toxicity. Enrollment to a clinical trial did not significantly alleviate financial burden. CONCLUSION Financial toxicity is a significant burden even among highly insured gynecologic oncology patients. Age, malignancy type and income were correlated with high financial burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Burak Zeybek
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Emily Webster
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Natalia Pogosian
- New York Institute of Technology, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Joan Tymon-Rosario
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Alan Balch
- Patient Advocate Foundation, Hampton, VA, USA
| | - Gary Altwerger
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Mitchell Clark
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Gulden Menderes
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Gloria Huang
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Masoud Azodi
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Elena S Ratner
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Peter E Schwartz
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Alessandro D Santin
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Vaagn Andikyan
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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San-Juan-Rodriguez A, Gellad WF, Shrank WH, Good CB, Hernandez I. A decade of increases in Medicare Part B pharmaceutical spending: what are the drivers? J Manag Care Spec Pharm 2021; 27:565-573. [PMID: 33908276 DOI: 10.18553/jmcp.2021.27.5.565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Medicare Part B pharmaceutical spending has increased rapidly, more than doubling in 2006-2017. Yet, it is unclear whether this increase was driven by increased utilization or increased cost per claim. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relative impact of changes in drug utilization and cost per claim on changes in Medicare Part B pharmaceutical spending in 2008-2016 overall, by drug type (specialty and nonspecialty) and therapeutic category. METHODS: In this retrospective descriptive study, we extracted all claims in 2008-2016 for separately payable Part B drugs from a 5% random sample of Medicare beneficiaries. Our study included 3 outcomes calculated annually for all included drugs: (1) spending, defined as the sum of total payments; (2) utilization, defined as total number of claims; and (3) cost per claim, defined as spending divided by the number of claims. Estimates of spending and utilization were expressed per beneficiary-year. Spending and cost per claim were adjusted for inflation. For each outcome, we calculated relative changes in 2008-2016. We repeated analyses stratifying by drug type (specialty and nonspecialty) and therapeutic class. RESULTS: Pharmaceutical spending in Medicare Part B increased by 34% from 2008-2016, driven by a 53% increase in the cost per claim. Utilization decreased by 12%. Spending on specialty drugs increased by 56%, driven by a 48% increase in the cost per claim and a 6% utilization increase. Spending on nonspecialty drugs decreased by 32% driven by an 18% reduction in the cost per claim and a 17% reduction in utilization. Spending on ophthalmic preparations increased by 281%, driven by a 238% utilization increase and a 13% increase in the cost per claim. Spending on antiarthritic and immunologic agents increased by 159%, driven by a 117% increase in the cost per claim and a 19% utilization increase. CONCLUSIONS: Medicare Part B pharmaceutical spending grew in recent years, despite decreased utilization, driven by an overall increase in the cost per claim. This was a product of rising drug prices and increased utilization of more expensive specialty drugs. These findings support the development of policies that aim to spur competition and control price growth of provider-administered drugs. DISCLOSURES: The authors acknowledge funding from the Myers Family Foundation. Hernandez was funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (grant number K01HL142847). Shrank is an employee of Humana. Good is an employee of the UPMC Health Plan Insurance Services Division. There are no other potential conflicts of interest to disclose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro San-Juan-Rodriguez
- Department of Pharmacy and Therapeutics, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Walid F Gellad
- Division of General Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | | | - Chester B Good
- Insurance Services Division, UPMC Health Plan, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Inmaculada Hernandez
- Department of Pharmacy and Therapeutics, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
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Current Knowledge and Perspectives of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids in Pharmacological Applications: A Mini-Review. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26071970. [PMID: 33807368 PMCID: PMC8037423 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26071970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are a widespread group of secondary metabolites in plants. PAs are notorious for their acute hepatotoxicity, genotoxicity and neurological damage to humans and animals. In recent decades, the application of PAs for beneficial biological activities to cure disease has drawn greater attention. Here, we review the current knowledge regarding the pharmacological properties of PAs and discuss PAs as promising prototypes for the development of new drugs.
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15
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Borrelli EP, McGladrigan CG. Five Year Analysis Assessing the Trend in Prescribing and Expenditures of Oral Oncolytics for Medicare Part D: 2013-2017. J Pharm Pract 2021; 35:580-586. [PMID: 33722080 DOI: 10.1177/08971900211000208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Oral oncolytics are becoming a mainstay in oncology, representing first-line therapies for numerous different malignancies. In addition, the cost of oncology drugs has increased dramatically in recent years. Given the increasing number of oral oncolytics available, as well as the increase in medication costs in recent years, it is important to assess the trend in prescriptions and expenditures of these agents. METHODS A descriptive retrospective analysis of the Medicare Part D Provider Utilization and Payment Data Public Use File (PUF) was conducted for the years 2013 through 2017. Outcomes of interest included total aggregate prescriptions per year, total aggregate expenditures per year, mean expenditure per prescription per year, and mean expenditure per standardized 30-day prescription per year. Chi-square tests were conducted to assess statistical significance of differences in proportions of prescriptions as well as expenditures between 2013 and 2017. RESULTS The number of prescriptions for oral oncolytics dispensed to Medicare Part D beneficiaries increased from 7,017,902 in 2013 to 8,164,883 in 2017. Medicare Part D expenditures for oral oncolytics increased greater than 2.5-fold from $5,631,224,307 in 2013 to $14,422,681,331 in 2017 after adjusting for inflation. The mean expenditure per prescription for oral oncolytics increased from $802 in 2013 to $1,766 in 2017. CONCLUSIONS This study found oral oncolytic utilization has been increasing in recent years with a slight, but statistically significant increase in the proportion of oncolytics for all Medicare prescriptions from 2013 through 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric P Borrelli
- University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy, Kingston, RI, USA
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16
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Ziakas PD, Mylonakis E. Medicare Part D Spending on Drugs Prescribed by Oncologists: Temporal Trends and Regional Variation. JCO Oncol Pract 2020; 17:e433-e439. [PMID: 32813601 DOI: 10.1200/op.20.00165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Drug cost is a significant factor in the ever-increasing expenditures for cancer health care. METHODS We used Medicare Part D administrative data to explore prescribing patterns and attributed drug costs of oncologists from 2013 to 2017. We highlighted regional variation in spending and potential associations. We used the location quotient (LQ) to measure the relative concentration of oncologists compared with the national average by hospital referral regions. Costs were reported in 2017 US dollars (inflation adjusted) for cross-year comparisons. RESULTS Oncology's share in Part D spending showed an uninterrupted increasing trend. In 2017, oncologists prescribed medicines with $12.8 billion in Part D costs (8.3% of all Part D payments), which exceeded 2013 costs by $7.3 billion, when their claim payments were $5.5 billion (5.0% of all Part D payments). Oncology contributed a higher annual growth in Part D drug costs compared with all other providers (15.1% and 3.1%, respectively, for 2017). The top 3 drugs increased cost by approximately $3.5 billion from 2013 to 2017. Across hospital referral regions, the oncologists' Part D share varied (median in 2017, 7.7%; interquartile range, 6.2%-9.3%) and was higher across regions where oncologists had an LQ significantly > 1 (mostly in areas with centers that excel in cancer care) and lower for an LQ significantly < 1 (median, 9.7% v 6.2%, respectively; P < .001). CONCLUSION Oncology increased its share in Part D drug spending, disproportionately to all other providers, with regional differences partially moderated by the oncology workforce and quality of cancer care.
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17
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Yabroff KR, Zhao J, de Moor JS, Sineshaw HM, Freedman AN, Zheng Z, Han X, Rai A, Klabunde CN. Factors Associated With Oncologist Discussions of the Costs of Genomic Testing and Related Treatments. J Natl Cancer Inst 2020; 112:498-506. [PMID: 31675070 PMCID: PMC7225678 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djz173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Use of genomic testing is increasing in the United States. Testing can be expensive, and not all tests and related treatments are covered by health insurance. Little is known about how often oncologists discuss costs of testing and treatment or about the factors associated with those discussions. METHODS We identified 1220 oncologists who reported discussing genomic testing with their cancer patients from the 2017 National Survey of Precision Medicine in Cancer Treatment. Multivariable polytomous logistic regression analyses were used to assess associations between oncologist and practice characteristics and the frequency of cost discussions. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS Among oncologists who discussed genomic testing with patients, 50.0% reported often discussing the likely costs of testing and related treatments, 26.3% reported sometimes discussing costs, and 23.7% reported never or rarely discussing costs. In adjusted analyses, oncologists with training in genomic testing or working in practices with electronic medical record alerts for genomic tests were more likely to have cost discussions sometimes (odds ratio [OR] = 2.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.19 to 3.69) or often (OR = 2.22, 95% CI = 1.30 to 3.79), respectively, compared to rarely or never. Other factors statistically significantly associated with more frequent cost discussions included treating solid tumors (rather than only hematological cancers), using next-generation sequencing gene panel tests, having higher patient volume, and working in practices with higher percentages of patients insured by Medicaid, or self-paid or uninsured. CONCLUSIONS Interventions targeting modifiable oncologist and practice factors, such as training in genomic testing and use of electronic medical record alerts, may help improve cost discussions about genomic testing and related treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Robin Yabroff
- Surveillance and Health Services Research, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA
| | - Jingxuan Zhao
- Surveillance and Health Services Research, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA
| | | | - Helmneh M Sineshaw
- Surveillance and Health Services Research, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA
| | | | - Zhiyuan Zheng
- Surveillance and Health Services Research, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA
| | - Xuesong Han
- Surveillance and Health Services Research, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA
| | - Ashish Rai
- Surveillance and Health Services Research, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA
| | - Carrie N Klabunde
- National Cancer Institute, and Office of Disease Prevention, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
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Wormington AM, De María M, Kurita HG, Bisesi JH, Denslow ND, Martyniuk CJ. Antineoplastic Agents: Environmental Prevalence and Adverse Outcomes in Aquatic Organisms. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2020; 39:967-985. [PMID: 32266737 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, with 9.6 million cancer-related deaths in 2018. Cancer incidence has increased over time, and so has the prescription rate of chemotherapeutic drugs. These pharmaceuticals, known as antineoplastic agents, enter the aquatic environment via human excretion and wastewater. The objectives of the present critical review were to investigate the risk of antineoplastics to aquatic species and to summarize the current state of knowledge regarding their levels in the environment, because many antineoplastics are not adequately removed during wastewater treatment. We conducted 2 separate literature reviews to synthesize data on the global environmental prevalence and toxicity of antineoplastics. The antineoplastics most frequently detected in the environment included cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, tamoxifen, methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracil; all were detectable in multiple water sources, including effluent and surface waters. These antineoplastics span 3 different mechanistic classes, with cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide classified as alkylating agents, tamoxifen as a hormonal agent, and methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil as antimetabolites. Studies that characterize the risk of antineoplastics released into aquatic environments are scarce. We summarize the biological impacts of the most environmentally prevalent antineoplastics on aquatic organisms and propose an adverse outcome pathway for cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide, 2 widely prescribed drugs with a similar immunotoxic mode of action. Acute and chronic ecotoxicity studies using aquatic models are needed for risk characterization of antineoplastics. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:967-985. © 2020 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis M Wormington
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Maite De María
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Hajime G Kurita
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Joseph H Bisesi
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Nancy D Denslow
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- University of Florida Genetics Institute, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Christopher J Martyniuk
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- University of Florida Genetics Institute, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Interdisciplinary Program in Biomedical Sciences Neuroscience, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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Tangka FKL, Subramanian S, Jones M, Edwards P, Flanigan T, Kaganova Y, Smith KW, Thomas CC, Hawkins NA, Rodriguez J, Fairley T, Guy GP. Insurance Coverage, Employment Status, and Financial Well-Being of Young Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020; 29:616-624. [PMID: 32132129 PMCID: PMC7909848 DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-19-0352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The economic cost of breast cancer is a major personal and public health problem in the United States. This study aims to evaluate the insurance, employment, and financial experiences of young female breast cancer survivors and to assess factors associated with financial decline. METHODS We recruited 830 women under 40 years of age diagnosed with breast cancer between January 2013 and December 2014. The study population was identified through California, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina population-based cancer registries. The cross-sectional survey was fielded in 2017 and included questions on demographics, insurance, employment, out-of-pocket costs, and financial well-being. We present descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis to assess factors associated with financial decline. RESULTS Although 92.5% of the respondents were continuously insured over the past 12 months, 9.5% paid a "higher price than expected" for coverage. Common concerns among the 73.4% of respondents who were employed at diagnosis included increased paid (55.1%) or unpaid (47.3%) time off, suffering job performance (23.2%), and staying at (30.2%) or avoiding changing (23.5%) jobs for health insurance purposes. Overall, 47.0% experienced financial decline due to treatment-related costs. Patients with some college education, multiple comorbidities, late stage diagnoses, and self-funded insurance were most vulnerable. CONCLUSIONS The breast cancer diagnosis created financial hardship for half the respondents and led to myriad challenges in maintaining employment. Employment decisions were heavily influenced by the need to maintain health insurance coverage. IMPACT This study finds that a breast cancer diagnosis in young women can result in employment disruption and financial decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence K L Tangka
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Cheryll C Thomas
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Nikki A Hawkins
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Juan Rodriguez
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Temeika Fairley
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Gery P Guy
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
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Chen AJ, Hu X, Conti RM, Jena AB, Goldman DP. Trends in the Price per Median and Mean Life-Year Gained Among Newly Approved Cancer Therapies 1995 to 2017. VALUE IN HEALTH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR PHARMACOECONOMICS AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2019; 22:1387-1395. [PMID: 31806195 PMCID: PMC7589784 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2019.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prices of newly approved cancer drugs have risen over the past decades. A key policy question is whether the clinical gains offered by these drugs in treating specific cancer indications justify the price increases. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the price per median and mean life year gained among newly approved cancer therapies from 1995 to 2017. METHODS We collected data on the price (in 2017 USD) per life-year gained among cancer drug-indication pairs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) between 1995 and 2017. We modeled trends using fractional polynomial and linear spline regression models that controlled for route of administration and cancer type fixed effects. RESULTS We found that between 1995 and 2012, price increases outstripped median survival gains, a finding consistent with previous literature. Nevertheless, price per mean life-year gained increased at a considerably slower rate, suggesting that new drugs have been more effective in achieving longer-term survival. Between 2013 and 2017, price increases reflected equally large gains in median and mean survival, resulting in a flat profile for benefit-adjusted launch prices in recent years. CONCLUSIONS Although drug costs have been rising more rapidly than median survival gains, they have been rising at about the same rate as mean survival gains. This suggests that when accounting for longer-term survival gains, the benefits of new drugs are roughly keeping pace with their costs, despite rapid cost growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice J Chen
- Sol Price School of Public Policy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA; Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Xiaohan Hu
- Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rena M Conti
- Questrom School of Business, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anupam B Jena
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Dana P Goldman
- Sol Price School of Public Policy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA; Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
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Improvement in adherence to Capecitabine and Lapatinib by way of a therapeutic education program. Support Care Cancer 2019; 28:3313-3322. [PMID: 31758323 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-019-05144-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE A patient non-adherence with oral anticancer agents is a well-recognized barrier to effective treatment. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of a therapeutic education program among non-adherent patients treated with Capecitabine alone or associated with Lapatinib. METHODS Sixty-five cancer patients were enrolled. Among them, 55 participated in the first observational phase of the study, measuring adherence using electronic MEMS pillboxes (medication event monitoring system). An adherence score was assessed in the form of a composite adherence score including intake dose and intake intervals. Ten non-adherent patients (adherence score < 80%) were included in the intervention phase of the study and were enrolled on a therapeutic education program. The efficacy of the program was evaluated on the basis of an improvement in adherence scores. We also studied factors influencing adherence. RESULTS The average adherence score was 83.6 ± 15.7% in the overall population. Forty-one patients were adherent (adherence score > 80%) and 14 patients were non-adherent (adherence score < 80%). The therapeutic education program for non-adherent patients (n = 10) increased their adherence score by 17.8% and led 60% of these patients to become adherent. The number of toxicities during the first cycles was a predictive factor for non-adherence. CONCLUSION This study showed an improvement in adherence to Capecitabine ± Lapatinib among non-adherent patients by way of a therapeutic education program.
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22
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Zhao J, Zheng Z, Han X, Davidoff AJ, Banegas MP, Rai A, Jemal A, Yabroff KR. Cancer History, Health Insurance Coverage, and Cost-Related Medication Nonadherence and Medication Cost-Coping Strategies in the United States. VALUE IN HEALTH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR PHARMACOECONOMICS AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2019; 22:762-767. [PMID: 31277821 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2019.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Revised: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the relationship between cancer history and cost-related medication nonadherence (CRN) as well as cost-coping strategies, by health insurance coverage. METHODS We used the 2013 to 2016 National Health Interview Survey to identify adults aged 18 to 64 years with (n = 3599) and without (n = 56 909) a cancer history. Cost-related changes in medication use included (1) CRN, measured as skipping, taking less, or delaying medication because of cost, and (2) cost-coping strategies, measured as requesting lower cost medication or using alternative therapies to save money. Separate multivariable logistic regressions were used to calculate the adjusted odds ratios (AORs) of CRN and cost-coping strategies associated with cancer history, stratified by insurance. RESULTS Cancer survivors were more likely than adults without a cancer history to report CRN (AOR 1.26; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10-1.43) and cost-coping strategies (AOR 1.10; 95% CI 0.99-1.19). Among the privately insured, the difference in CRN by cancer history was the greatest among those enrolled in high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) without health savings accounts (HSAs) (AOR 1.78; 95% CI 1.30-2.44). Among adults with HDHP and HSA, cancer survivors were less likely to report cost-coping strategies (AOR 0.62; 95% CI 0.42-0.90). Regardless of cancer history, CRN and cost-coping strategies were the highest for those uninsured, enrolled in HDHP without HSA, and without prescription drug coverage under their health plan (all P<.001). CONCLUSIONS Cancer survivors are prone to CRN and more likely to use cost-coping strategies. Expanding options for health insurance coverage, use of HSAs for those with HDHP, and enhanced prescription drug coverage may effectively address CRN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxuan Zhao
- Surveillance and Health Services Research Program, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Zhiyuan Zheng
- Surveillance and Health Services Research Program, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Xuesong Han
- Surveillance and Health Services Research Program, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Amy J Davidoff
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Matthew P Banegas
- The Center for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Ashish Rai
- Surveillance and Health Services Research Program, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ahmedin Jemal
- Surveillance and Health Services Research Program, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - K Robin Yabroff
- Surveillance and Health Services Research Program, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Mady LJ, Lyu L, Owoc MS, Peddada SD, Thomas TH, Sabik LM, Johnson JT, Nilsen ML. Understanding financial toxicity in head and neck cancer survivors. Oral Oncol 2019; 95:187-193. [PMID: 31345389 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2019.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES (1) Describe financial toxicity (FT) in head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors and assess its association with personal/health characteristics and health-related quality of life (HRQOL); (2) examine financial coping mechanisms (savings/loans); (3) assess relationship between COmprehensive Score for financial Toxicity (COST) and Financial Distress Questionnaire (FDQ). PATIENTS AND METHODS Cross-sectional survey from January - April 2018 of insured patients at a tertiary multidisciplinary HNC survivorship clinic who completed primary treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, or larynx/hypopharynx. RESULTS Of 104 survivors, 30 (40.5%) demonstrated high FT. Patients with worse FT were more likely (1) not married (COST, 25.33 ± 1.87 vs. 30.61 ± 1.34, p = 0.008); (2) of lower education levels (COST, 26.12 ± 1.47 vs. 34.14 ± 1.47, p < 0.001); and (3) with larynx/hypopharynx primaries (COST, 22.86 ± 2.28 vs. 30.27 ± 1.50 vs. 32.72 ± 1.98, p = 0.005). Younger age (4.23, 95%CI 2.20 to 6.26, p < 0.001), lower earnings at diagnosis (1.17, 95%CI 0.76 to 1.58, p < 0.001), and loss in earnings (-1.80, 95%CI -2.43 to -1.16, p < 0.001) were associated with worse FT. COST was associated with HRQOL (0.08, p = 0.03). Most survivors (63/102, 60%) reported using savings and/or loans. Worse FT was associated with increased likelihood of using more mechanisms (COST, OR1.06, 95%CI 1.02 to 1.10, p = 0.004). Similar results were found with FDQ. CONCLUSIONS We found differences in FT by primary site, with worst FT in larynx/hypopharynx patients. This finding illuminates potential site-specific factors, e.g. workplace discrimination or inability to return to work, that may contribute to increased risk. FDQ correlates strongly with COST, encouraging further exploration as a clinically-meaningful screening tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila J Mady
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
| | - Lingyun Lyu
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Maryanna S Owoc
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Shyamal D Peddada
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Teresa H Thomas
- Department of Health Promotion and Development, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Lindsay M Sabik
- Department of Health Policy and Management, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Jonas T Johnson
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Marci L Nilsen
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Department of Acute and Tertiary Care, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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Yabroff KR, Gansler T, Wender RC, Cullen KJ, Brawley OW. Minimizing the burden of cancer in the United States: Goals for a high-performing health care system. CA Cancer J Clin 2019; 69:166-183. [PMID: 30786025 DOI: 10.3322/caac.21556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Robin Yabroff
- Strategic Director, Surveillance and Health Services Research Program, American Cancer Society Inc, Atlanta, GA
| | - Ted Gansler
- Strategic Director of Pathology Research, American Cancer Society Inc, Atlanta, GA
| | - Richard C Wender
- Chief Cancer Control Officer, American Cancer Society Inc, Atlanta, GA
| | - Kevin J Cullen
- Director, University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD
| | - Otis W Brawley
- Chief Medical and Scientific Officer and Executive Vice President-Research, American Cancer Society Inc, Atlanta, GA
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25
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Financial burden amongst cancer patients treated with curative intent surgery alone. Am J Surg 2019; 218:452-456. [PMID: 30771864 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2019.01.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
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.
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Impact of Genetic Mutations and Health Plan Access to Therapies on Treatment Response and Drug Costs Related to Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Treatment Among Patients With Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia. Am J Clin Oncol 2019; 41:213-217. [PMID: 26580245 DOI: 10.1097/coc.0000000000000252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study assessed treatment responses and economic consequences of limiting access to the second-generation BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (2G-TKI), dasatinib and nilotinib, for treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia, while taking into account frequencies of genetic mutations that exhibit different sensitivities to the 2G-TKIs. METHODS Frequencies of BCR-ABL1 mutations and the impact of mutations on responses to 2G-TKIs were obtained from published literature and used as inputs in a decision analytics model. Complete hematologic response (CHR) and major cytogenetic response (MCyR) were estimated after 12 months of 2G-TKI treatment. Total annual 2G-TKI drug costs per CHR and MCyR were estimated and compared among 3 2G-TKI access scenarios: (1) open access to both 2G-TKIs; (2) access restricted to dasatinib (DASA-only); and (3) access restricted to nilotinib (NILO-only). RESULTS Among a hypothetical cohort of 1000 2G-TKI-treated chronic myelogenous leukemia patients, the percentage of patients with CHR and MCyR were greatest for the open access plan (CHR: 93%, MCyR: 56%), followed by DASA-only (88%, 53%) and NILO-only (67%, 47%). Compared with the 2G-TKI costs per CHR in open access ($120,706/CHR), the costs were 5% higher ($126,753/CHR) in DASA-only and 41% higher ($169,990/CHR) in NILO-only. Likewise, compared with the 2G-TKI costs per MCyR in open access ($198,284/MCyR), the costs were 6% higher ($209,259/MCyR) in DASA-only and 22% higher ($241,515/MCyR) in NILO-only. CONCLUSION Open access to both 2G-TKIs is associated with improved clinical and economic outcomes: greater treatment response rates (CHR and MCyR) and lower drug costs compared with restricted access to 2G-TKIs.
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Nipp RD, Sonet EM, Guy GP. Communicating the Financial Burden of Treatment With Patients. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 2018; 38:524-531. [PMID: 30231377 DOI: 10.1200/edbk_201051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, high health care costs and the financial burden of cancer care have received increased attention. In response to the financial burden of cancer care, patients may jeopardize their health outcomes by not properly adhering to prescribed therapies or even forgoing and delaying care in an effort to defray costs. In addition, the financial burden experienced by patients with cancer may negatively impact clinical outcomes, such as quality of life, physical and psychological symptoms, and potentially, even survival. Notably, in the current era of targeted treatment and immunotherapies for patients with cancer, the rising costs of cancer continue to remain at the forefront of patient concerns. Therefore, a critical need exists to determine how best to assist patients with the cost burden of cancer diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan D Nipp
- From the Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; CancerCare, New York, NY; Divisions of Unintentional Injury Prevention and Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Ellen Miller Sonet
- From the Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; CancerCare, New York, NY; Divisions of Unintentional Injury Prevention and Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Gery P Guy
- From the Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; CancerCare, New York, NY; Divisions of Unintentional Injury Prevention and Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
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Yabroff KR, Zhao J, Zheng Z, Rai A, Han X. Medical Financial Hardship among Cancer Survivors in the United States: What Do We Know? What Do We Need to Know? Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2018; 27:1389-1397. [DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-18-0617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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Pataky R, Tran DA, Coronado A, Alvi R, Boehm D, Regier DA, Peacock S. Cancer drug expenditure in British Columbia and Saskatchewan: a trend analysis. CMAJ Open 2018; 6:E292-E299. [PMID: 30054297 PMCID: PMC6182106 DOI: 10.9778/cmajo.20170161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Expenditure on systemic therapy for cancer has been increasing quickly owing to population growth, increased use, both in the number of users and in prescription volume, and rising drug prices. Our objective was to describe trends in expenditure in British Columbia and Saskatchewan's cancer care systems and to elucidate these drivers of growth. METHODS In this trend analysis, we obtained pharmacy dispensing records from the BC Cancer and Saskatchewan Cancer Agency pharmacies for all anticancer therapies dispensed in 2006-2013. We calculated total annual expenditure directly from the data and conducted a trend analysis of crude and standardized annual expenditure using generalized linear models. We estimated trends in the following components of total expenditure: cancer incidence, number of systemic therapy users per incident case, number of dispensed prescriptions per user and cost per prescription. Analysis was stratified by patient age group, cancer site and route of administration (oral or intravenous/other). RESULTS Expenditure on systemic therapies, adjusted for population growth and aging, increased an average of 9.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.2 to 11.2) per year in Saskatchewan and 6.4% (95% CI 5.3 to 7.6) per year in BC. Growth in expenditure on orally administered agents was more than 2 times higher than growth in expenditure on intravenous/other agents. Growth rates varied significantly by cancer site. In both provinces, rising cost per prescription was the largest contributor to overall growth. INTERPRETATION Price is the primary driver of growth in systemic therapy expenditure in both BC and Saskatchewan. Understanding the mechanisms of expenditure growth may inform system planning and support policy-makers' efforts to manage rising costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reka Pataky
- Canadian Centre for Applied Research in Cancer Control (Pataky, Regier, Peacock), BC Cancer; School of Population and Public Health (Pataky, Regier), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; Saskatchewan Cancer Agency (Tran, Alvi, Boehm), Saskatoon and Regina, Sask.; Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (Coronado), Toronto, Ont.; Faculty of Health Sciences (Peacock), Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC
| | - David A Tran
- Canadian Centre for Applied Research in Cancer Control (Pataky, Regier, Peacock), BC Cancer; School of Population and Public Health (Pataky, Regier), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; Saskatchewan Cancer Agency (Tran, Alvi, Boehm), Saskatoon and Regina, Sask.; Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (Coronado), Toronto, Ont.; Faculty of Health Sciences (Peacock), Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC
| | - Andrea Coronado
- Canadian Centre for Applied Research in Cancer Control (Pataky, Regier, Peacock), BC Cancer; School of Population and Public Health (Pataky, Regier), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; Saskatchewan Cancer Agency (Tran, Alvi, Boehm), Saskatoon and Regina, Sask.; Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (Coronado), Toronto, Ont.; Faculty of Health Sciences (Peacock), Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC
| | - Riaz Alvi
- Canadian Centre for Applied Research in Cancer Control (Pataky, Regier, Peacock), BC Cancer; School of Population and Public Health (Pataky, Regier), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; Saskatchewan Cancer Agency (Tran, Alvi, Boehm), Saskatoon and Regina, Sask.; Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (Coronado), Toronto, Ont.; Faculty of Health Sciences (Peacock), Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC
| | - Darryl Boehm
- Canadian Centre for Applied Research in Cancer Control (Pataky, Regier, Peacock), BC Cancer; School of Population and Public Health (Pataky, Regier), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; Saskatchewan Cancer Agency (Tran, Alvi, Boehm), Saskatoon and Regina, Sask.; Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (Coronado), Toronto, Ont.; Faculty of Health Sciences (Peacock), Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC
| | - Dean A Regier
- Canadian Centre for Applied Research in Cancer Control (Pataky, Regier, Peacock), BC Cancer; School of Population and Public Health (Pataky, Regier), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; Saskatchewan Cancer Agency (Tran, Alvi, Boehm), Saskatoon and Regina, Sask.; Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (Coronado), Toronto, Ont.; Faculty of Health Sciences (Peacock), Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC
| | - Stuart Peacock
- Canadian Centre for Applied Research in Cancer Control (Pataky, Regier, Peacock), BC Cancer; School of Population and Public Health (Pataky, Regier), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; Saskatchewan Cancer Agency (Tran, Alvi, Boehm), Saskatoon and Regina, Sask.; Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (Coronado), Toronto, Ont.; Faculty of Health Sciences (Peacock), Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC
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Over-adherence to capecitabine: a potential safety issue in breast and colorectal cancer patients. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2018; 82:319-327. [PMID: 29948022 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-018-3612-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of the OCTO clinical study was to measure patients' adherence to capecitabine-based treatment. METHODS A cohort of ambulatory patients treated with capecitabine monotherapy for either locally advanced or metastatic, breast or colorectal cancer was monitored for 6 cycles. Adherence was assessed in all patients by self-completed questionnaires on disease, pill-count and pharmacological dosage of FBAL (metabolite of capecitabine); and in half of the cohort by electronic medication event monitoring systems (MEMS™) recording the opening times of the device. RESULTS Forty patients were enrolled between November 2008 and September 2011 and treated by capecitabine for an average of 4.75 cycles (range 1-6). Hand-foot syndrome (HFS) was the most frequently reported toxicity (35% patients), and to a lesser extent fatigue and/or asthenia (21%), nausea and/or vomiting (13%) and diarrhea (11%). In the MEMS™ cohort, 20 patients were included. Patients' adherence was excellent with very few missing occasions (23/2272 records). Close analysis of MEMS™ data revealed unexpected medication patterns, such as patients taking extra days of medication beyond planned cycle, patients taking extra doses per day and patients missing a day of dosing and "compensating" by taking extra the following day (N = 7, 18%). A trend was found between over-adherence and high-grade toxicity (grades 3 and/or 4): OR 4.74 [0.65-45.2], p = 0.13 and higher AUC (p = 0.16). There was a trend towards increased AUC of FBAL in over-adherent patients (p = 0.16). CONCLUSION Adherence to oral anticancer chemotherapy was found excellent in this population suggesting over-adherence to capecitabine and potential safety implications for outpatients' drugs.
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Parsons SK, Castellino SM, Yabroff KR. Cost, Value, and Financial Hardship in Cancer Care: Implications for Pediatric Oncology. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 2018; 38:850-860. [PMID: 30231364 DOI: 10.1200/edbk_200359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Cancer care in the United States faces a perfect storm: an aging population and expected increased cancer incidence, growing numbers of cancer survivors with ongoing care needs, and continued scientific advancements, offering extraordinary promise at extraordinary cost. How, then, do we as pediatric oncologists engage in the dialogue about cancer cost considerations? The purpose of this article and its accompanying session presented at the 2018 ASCO Annual Meeting is to introduce concepts of cost, value, and financial hardship. In the first section, we will provide an overview of principles of health economics, including components of cost, time horizon consideration, discounting, and methods to calculate incremental cost-effectiveness among therapeutic approaches. We will then introduce the value framework being debated in adult oncology and offer potential opportunities for its application in pediatric oncology. In the second section, we will describe the integration of the cost-effectiveness paradigm in an ongoing pediatric clinical trial, including design and analytic considerations. In the third section, we will shift away from cost to the health care system to cost to the patient, which is also termed "financial toxicity" or "financial hardship," focusing on the ongoing burden of cost on survivors of childhood cancer. Our goal is to provide our readers with the vocabulary and understanding of this complex and often thorny debate so that they can be active participants and informed advocates for their patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan K Parsons
- From Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA; Children's Hospital of Atlanta/Emory University, Atlanta, GA; American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA
| | - Sharon M Castellino
- From Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA; Children's Hospital of Atlanta/Emory University, Atlanta, GA; American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA
| | - K Robin Yabroff
- From Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA; Children's Hospital of Atlanta/Emory University, Atlanta, GA; American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA
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Geynisman DM, Meeker CR, Doyle JL, Handorf EA, Bilusic M, Plimack ER, Wong YN. Provider and patient burdens of obtaining oral anticancer medications. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MANAGED CARE 2018; 24:e128-e133. [PMID: 29668216 PMCID: PMC7596764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Oral anticancer medications (OAMs) are frequently used to treat patients with cancer. Unlike intravenous chemotherapy, OAMs are covered by prescription drug plans. We examined barriers to initiation of OAMs in 116 patients with prostate or kidney cancer (149 unique prescriptions). We found that the median time from initial prescription to prior authorization was 3 days and the median time from initial prescription to patient receipt of drug was 12 days. Seventy-three percent of all prescriptions required 2 or more phone calls by clinic staff and 40% required 5 or more calls. Of 107 prescriptions with data available, 54% utilized financial assistance; these required significantly more phone calls (P = .0001) and led to a longer median time to drug obtainment (P = .003) compared with those that did not require financial assistance. In those prescriptions with both initial and final co-pay information available, the initial out-of-pocket mean and median co-pays were $1226.03 and $329.73, respectively, but these dropped to $124.57 and $25.00 after utilization of co-pay assistance programs, excluding those with a $0 final co-pay. These early observations suggest that a more efficient process for initiation of OAMs is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel M Geynisman
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, 333 Cottman Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19111.
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Chaffee BW, Lander MJ, Christen C, Redic KA. Surface contamination of counting tools after mock dispensing of cyclophosphamide in a simulated outpatient pharmacy. J Oncol Pharm Pract 2018; 25:85-93. [PMID: 29592766 DOI: 10.1177/1078155218764587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The primary aim was to determine if dispensing of cyclophosphamide tablets resulted in accumulated residue on pharmacy counting tools during a simulated outpatient dispensing process. Secondary objectives included determining if cyclophosphamide contamination exceeded a defined threshold level of 1 ng/cm2 and if a larger number of prescriptions dispensed resulted in increased contamination. METHODS Mock prescriptions of 40 cyclophosphamide 50 mg tablets were counted on clean trays in three scenarios using a simulated outpatient pharmacy after assaying five cleaned trays as controls. The three scenarios consisted of five simulated dispensings of one, three, or six prescriptions dispensed per scenario. Wipe samples of trays and spatulas were collected and assayed for all trays, including the five clean trays used as controls. Contamination was defined as an assayed cyclophosphamide level at or above 0.001 ng/cm2 and levels above 1 ng/cm2 were considered sufficient to cause risk of human uptake. Mean contamination for each scenario was calculated and compared using one-way analysis of variance. P-values of < 0.05 implied significance. RESULTS Mean cyclophosphamide contamination on trays used to count one, three, and six cyclophosphamide prescriptions was 0.51 ± 0.10 (p=0.0003), 1.02 ± 0.10 (p < 0.0001), and 1.82 ± 0.10 ng/cm2 (p < 0.0001), respectively. Control trays did not show detectable cyclophosphamide contamination. Increasing the number of prescriptions dispensed from 1 to 3, 1 to 6, and 3 to 6 counts increased contamination by 0.51 ± 0.15 (p = 0.0140), 1.31 + 0.15 (p < 0.0001), and 0.80 ± 0.15 ng/cm2 (p = 0.0004), respectively. CONCLUSION Dispensing one or more prescriptions of 40 cyclophosphamide 50 mg tablets contaminates pharmacy counting tools, and an increased number of prescriptions dispensed correlates with increased level of contamination. Counting out three or more prescriptions leads to trays having contamination that surpasses the threshold at which worker exposure may be increased. Pharmacies should consider devoting a separate tray to cyclophosphamide tablets, as cross-contamination could occur with other drugs and the efficacy of decontamination methods is unclear. Employee exposure could be minimized with the use of personal protective equipment, environmental controls, and cleaning trays between uses. Future investigation should assess the extent of drug powder dispersion, the effects of various cleaning methods, and the potential extent of contamination with different oral cytotoxic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce W Chaffee
- 1 Department of Pharmacy Services, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, USA.,2 15514 College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, USA
| | | | - Catherine Christen
- 1 Department of Pharmacy Services, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, USA.,2 15514 College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Kimberly A Redic
- 1 Department of Pharmacy Services, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, USA.,2 15514 College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, USA
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Patterns and drivers of health care use in long-term childhood cancer survivors: A systematic review. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2017; 120:60-76. [DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2017.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Revised: 09/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Bosco-Lévy P, de Boissieu P, Gouverneur A, Noize P, Molimard M, Fourrier-Réglat A, Bezin J. National trends in use and costs of oral anticancer drugs in France: An 8-year population-based study. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2017; 26:1233-1241. [PMID: 28771878 DOI: 10.1002/pds.4282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Revised: 05/29/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE During the last decade, many oral anticancer drugs (OAcDs) have been marketed, providing interesting but potentially costly pharmaceutical alternatives to intravenous treatments. This study aims to provide updated information on their use and costs. METHODS A cross-sectional yearly repeated study was conducted from 2006 to 2014 using the representative sample of the French national health care insurance system claims database (EGB). OAcD use was described for each year, among prevalent (ie, patients with at least 1 OAcD reimbursement) and incident users (ie, patients with no OAcD reimbursement within the prior year) and according to their pharmacological classes (Hormone Therapy [HT], Cytotoxic Therapy [CT], Targeted Therapy [TT], and others). Demographic characteristics were described for both users; comorbidities and direct medical costs were described for incident users only. RESULTS The yearly prevalence and incidence of OAcD use, mainly represented by HT, remained stable from 2006 to 2014 (1.2%; 0.4%). Compared with users of other OAcD classes, the proportion of TT users substantially increased over the 8-year study period (+9.3%), and TT incident users had more severe comorbidities at treatment initiation. The health expenditures were the most important in TT users with median monthly medical direct costs varying from 2995€ to 4968€ per patient between 2006 and 2014. CONCLUSION With the development of new OAcDs, the TTs use reaches a wider population of patients but is responsible for increasing health expenditures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Bosco-Lévy
- Univ. Bordeaux, Inserm, Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, team PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY, UMR 1219, Bordeaux, France.,CHU de Bordeaux, Pole de sante publique, Département de Pharmacologie médicale, Bordeaux, France
| | - Paul de Boissieu
- CHU de Bordeaux, Pole de sante publique, Département de Pharmacologie médicale, Bordeaux, France
| | - Amandine Gouverneur
- Univ. Bordeaux, Inserm, Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, team PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY, UMR 1219, Bordeaux, France.,CHU de Bordeaux, Pole de sante publique, Département de Pharmacologie médicale, Bordeaux, France
| | - Pernelle Noize
- Univ. Bordeaux, Inserm, Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, team PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY, UMR 1219, Bordeaux, France.,CHU de Bordeaux, Pole de sante publique, Département de Pharmacologie médicale, Bordeaux, France
| | - Mathieu Molimard
- Univ. Bordeaux, Inserm, Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, team PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY, UMR 1219, Bordeaux, France.,CHU de Bordeaux, Pole de sante publique, Département de Pharmacologie médicale, Bordeaux, France
| | - Annie Fourrier-Réglat
- Univ. Bordeaux, Inserm, Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, team PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY, UMR 1219, Bordeaux, France.,CHU de Bordeaux, Pole de sante publique, Département de Pharmacologie médicale, Bordeaux, France
| | - Julien Bezin
- Univ. Bordeaux, Inserm, Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, team PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY, UMR 1219, Bordeaux, France.,CHU de Bordeaux, Pole de sante publique, Département de Pharmacologie médicale, Bordeaux, France
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Shen C, Zhao B, Liu L, Shih YCT. Financial Burden for Patients With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Enrolled in Medicare Part D Taking Targeted Oral Anticancer Medications. J Oncol Pract 2017; 13:e152-e162. [PMID: 28095170 DOI: 10.1200/jop.2016.014639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The number of targeted oral anticancer medications (TOAMs) has grown rapidly in the past decade. The high cost of TOAMs raises concerns about the financial aspect of treatment, especially for patients enrolled in Medicare Part D plans because of the coverage gap. METHODS We identified patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who were new TOAM users from the SEER registry data linked with Medicare Part D data, from years 2007 to 2012. We followed these patients throughout the calendar year when they started taking the TOAMs and examined their out-of-pocket (OOP) payments and gross drug costs, taking into account their benefit phase, plan type, and cost share group. RESULTS We found that 726 (81%) of the 898 patients with CML who received TOAMs had reached the catastrophic phase of their Medicare Part D benefit within the year of medication initiation, with a large majority of patients reaching this phase in less than a month. Patients without subsidies showed a clear pattern of a spike in OOP payments when they began treatment with TOAMs. The OOP payment for patients with subsidies was substantially lower. The monthly gross drug costs were similar between patients with and without subsidies. CONCLUSION Patients experience quick entry and exit from the coverage gap (also called the donut hole) as a result of the high price of TOAMs. Closing the donut hole will provide financial relief during the initial month(s) of treatment but will not completely eliminate the financial burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chan Shen
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; and Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Bo Zhao
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; and Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Lei Liu
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; and Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Ya-Chen Tina Shih
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; and Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
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Winn AN, Keating NL, Dusetzina SB. Factors Associated With Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Initiation and Adherence Among Medicare Beneficiaries With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. J Clin Oncol 2016; 34:4323-4328. [PMID: 27998234 DOI: 10.1200/jco.2016.67.4184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose There is substantial concern surrounding affordability of orally administered anticancer therapies, particularly for Medicare beneficiaries. We examined rates of initiation and adherence to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) among Medicare beneficiaries with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with and without cost-sharing subsidies. We selected TKIs given their effectiveness and strong indication for use among patients diagnosed with CML. Patients and Methods Using SEER-Medicare data, we identified individuals diagnosed with CML from 2007 to 2011. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to assess time from diagnosis to TKI initiation. We used generalized estimating equations to examine treatment initiation within 180 days and TKI adherence among initiators. We defined adherence as at least 80% of days covered during the 6 months after TKI initiation. Results Among 393 individuals diagnosed with CML from 2007 to 2011, 68% initiated TKI treatment within 180 days after diagnosis. In multivariate analysis, individuals with cost-sharing subsidies, younger age, lower comorbidity, and later year of diagnosis were significantly more likely to initiate TKIs. Among TKI initiators, 61% were adherent; adherence was lower for individuals age 80 years or older versus 66 to 69 years. Conclusion Only 68% of Medicare beneficiaries with CML initiated TKI therapy within 6 months of diagnosis. Delayed initiation among individuals without cost-sharing subsidies suggests that out-of-pocket costs may be a barrier to timely initiation of therapy among individuals diagnosed with CML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron N Winn
- Aaron N. Winn and Stacie B. Dusetzina, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC; and Nancy L. Keating, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Nancy L Keating
- Aaron N. Winn and Stacie B. Dusetzina, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC; and Nancy L. Keating, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Stacie B Dusetzina
- Aaron N. Winn and Stacie B. Dusetzina, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC; and Nancy L. Keating, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
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Altice CK, Banegas MP, Tucker-Seeley RD, Yabroff KR. Financial Hardships Experienced by Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review. J Natl Cancer Inst 2016; 109:djw205. [PMID: 27754926 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djw205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 503] [Impact Index Per Article: 62.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background With rising cancer care costs, including high-priced cancer drugs, financial hardship is increasingly documented among cancer survivors in the United States; research findings have not been synthesized. Methods We conducted a systematic review of articles published between 1990 and 2015 describing the financial hardship experienced by cancer survivors using PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and CINAHL databases. We categorized measures of financial hardship into: material conditions (eg, out-of-pocket costs, productivity loss, medical debt, or bankruptcy), psychological responses (eg, distress or worry), and coping behaviors (eg, skipped medications). We abstracted findings and conducted a qualitative synthesis. Results Among 676 studies identified, 45 met the inclusion criteria and were incorporated in the review. The majority of the studies (82%, n = 37) reported financial hardship as a material condition measure; others reported psychological (7%, n = 3) and behavioral measures (16%, n = 7). Financial hardship measures were heterogeneous within each broad category, and the prevalence of financial hardship varied by the measure used and population studied. Mean annual productivity loss ranged from $380 to $8236, 12% to 62% of survivors reported being in debt because of their treatment, 47% to 49% of survivors reported experiencing some form of financial distress, and 4% to 45% of survivors did not adhere to recommended prescription medication because of cost. Conclusions Financial hardship is common among cancer survivors, although we found substantial heterogeneity in its prevalence. Our findings highlight the need for consistent use of definitions, terms, and measures to determine the best intervention targets and inform intervention development in order to prevent and minimize the impact of financial hardship experienced by cancer survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl K Altice
- Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | | | - Reginald D Tucker-Seeley
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,Center for Community Based Research, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - K Robin Yabroff
- Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
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Treatment Costs of Breast Cancer Among Younger Women Aged 19-44 Years Enrolled in Medicaid. Am J Prev Med 2016; 50:278-85. [PMID: 26775907 PMCID: PMC5860800 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2015.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Revised: 09/20/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A few studies have examined the costs of breast cancer treatment in a Medicaid population at the state level. However, no study has estimated medical costs for breast cancer treatment at the national level for women aged 19-44 years enrolled in Medicaid. METHODS A sample of 5,542 younger women aged 19-44 years enrolled in fee-for-service Medicaid with diagnosis codes for breast cancer in 2007 were compared with 4.3 million women aged 19-44 years enrolled in fee-for-service Medicaid without breast cancer. Nonlinear regression methods estimated prevalent treatment costs for younger women with breast cancer compared with those without breast cancer. Individual medical costs were estimated by race/ethnicity and by type of services. Analyses were conducted in 2013 and all medical treatment costs were adjusted to 2012 U.S. dollars. RESULTS The estimated monthly direct medical costs for breast cancer treatment among younger women enrolled in Medicaid was $5,711 (95% CI=$5,039, $6,383) per woman. The estimated monthly cost for outpatient services was $4,058 (95% CI=$3,575, $4,541), for inpatient services was $1,003 (95% CI=$708, $1,298), and for prescription drugs was $539 (95% CI=$431, $647). By race/ethnicity, non-Hispanic white women had the highest monthly total medical costs, followed by Hispanic women and non-Hispanic women of other race. CONCLUSIONS Cost estimates demonstrate the substantial medical costs associated with breast cancer treatment for younger Medicaid beneficiaries. As the Medicaid program continues to evolve, the treatment cost estimates could serve as important inputs in decision making regarding planning for treatment of invasive breast cancer in this population.
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Lee JA, Roehrig CS, Butto ED. Cancer care cost trends in the United States: 1998 to 2012. Cancer 2016; 122:1078-84. [PMID: 26773823 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.29883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2015] [Revised: 12/11/2015] [Accepted: 12/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The authors examine trends in spending on cancer from 1998 through 2012, including cancer care costs, prevalence, and cases by payer, and discuss the results within the context of a prior analysis and recent health policy and programmatic changes. METHODS Condition-specific distribution of expenditures from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, supplemented with results from the National Nursing Home Survey and other data sources, was used as the basis for allocating the Personal Health Care components of the National Health Expenditure Accounts among conditions. RESULTS Cancer care expenditures grew at an annualized rate of 2.9% from 1998 to 2012. The share of expenditures for hospital-based care declined to a low of 48% during 2007 through 2009. Professional and clinical services' shares declined substantially between 2007 to 2009 and 2010 to 2012 when the hospital share increased. Treated prevalence decreased for all payers between the first and last study periods with the exception of private payers (11.2% increase). Out-of-pocket expenditures declined to 4.7%, whereas Medicare's share increased slightly. Medication expenditures increased, notably within retail and mail order settings. CONCLUSIONS The previous rapid growth of cancer prevalence and expenditures has now slowed, most remarkably since the 2007 recession. Out-of-pocket expenses for cancer treatment continue to decline, most recently reaching the lowest point in 25 years. In addition, the early effects of Affordable Care Act expansion can be observed in the decline of treated prevalence in the Medicaid population as the demographics of Medicaid enrollees change.
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Dusetzina SB, Keating NL. Mind the Gap: Why Closing the Doughnut Hole Is Insufficient for Increasing Medicare Beneficiary Access to Oral Chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol 2015; 34:375-80. [PMID: 26644524 DOI: 10.1200/jco.2015.63.7736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Orally administered anticancer medications are among the fastest growing components of cancer care. These medications are expensive, and cost-sharing requirements for patients can be a barrier to their use. For Medicare beneficiaries, the Affordable Care Act will close the Part D coverage gap (doughnut hole), which will reduce cost sharing from 100% in 2010 to 25% in 2020 for drug spending above $2,960 until the beneficiary reaches $4,700 in out-of-pocket spending. How much these changes will reduce out-of-pocket costs is unclear. METHODS We used the Medicare July 2014 Prescription Drug Plan Formulary, Pharmacy Network, and Pricing Information Files from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for 1,114 stand-alone and 2,230 Medicare Advantage prescription drug formularies, which represent all formularies in 2014. We identified orally administered anticancer medications and summarized drug costs, cost-sharing designs used by available plans, and the estimated out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries without low-income subsidies who take a single drug before and after the doughnut hole closes. RESULTS Little variation existed in formulary design across plans and products. The average price per month for included products was $10,060 (range, $5,123 to $16,093). In 2010, median beneficiary annual out-of-pocket costs for a typical treatment duration ranged from $6,456 (interquartile range, $6,433 to $6,482) for dabrafenib to $12,160 (interquartile range, $12,102 to $12,262) for sunitinib. With the assumption that prices remain stable, after the doughnut hole closes, beneficiaries will spend approximately $2,550 less. CONCLUSION Out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries taking orally administered anticancer medications are high and will remain so after the doughnut hole closes. Efforts are needed to improve affordability of high-cost cancer drugs for beneficiaries who need them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacie B Dusetzina
- Stacie B. Dusetzina, University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Gillings School of Global Public Health, and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, Chapel Hill, NC; and Nancy L. Keating, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA.
| | - Nancy L Keating
- Stacie B. Dusetzina, University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Gillings School of Global Public Health, and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, Chapel Hill, NC; and Nancy L. Keating, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
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Yabroff KR, Dowling EC, Guy GP, Banegas MP, Davidoff A, Han X, Virgo KS, McNeel TS, Chawla N, Blanch-Hartigan D, Kent EE, Li C, Rodriguez JL, de Moor JS, Zheng Z, Jemal A, Ekwueme DU. Financial Hardship Associated With Cancer in the United States: Findings From a Population-Based Sample of Adult Cancer Survivors. J Clin Oncol 2015; 34:259-67. [PMID: 26644532 DOI: 10.1200/jco.2015.62.0468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 362] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To estimate the prevalence of financial hardship associated with cancer in the United States and identify characteristics of cancer survivors associated with financial hardship. METHODS We identified 1,202 adult cancer survivors diagnosed or treated at ≥ 18 years of age from the 2011 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Experiences With Cancer questionnaire. Material financial hardship was measured by ever (1) borrowing money or going into debt, (2) filing for bankruptcy, (3) being unable to cover one's share of medical care costs, or (4) making other financial sacrifices because of cancer, its treatment, and lasting effects of treatment. Psychological financial hardship was measured as ever worrying about paying large medical bills. We examined factors associated with any material or psychological financial hardship using separate multivariable logistic regression models stratified by age group (18 to 64 and ≥ 65 years). RESULTS Material financial hardship was more common in cancer survivors age 18 to 64 years than in those ≥ 65 years of age (28.4% v 13.8%; P < .001), as was psychological financial hardship (31.9% v 14.7%, P < .001). In adjusted analyses, cancer survivors age 18 to 64 years who were younger, female, nonwhite, and treated more recently and who had changed employment because of cancer were significantly more likely to report any material financial hardship. Cancer survivors who were uninsured, had lower family income, and were treated more recently were more likely to report psychological financial hardship. Among cancer survivors ≥ 65 years of age, those who were younger were more likely to report any financial hardship. CONCLUSION Cancer survivors, especially the working-age population, commonly experience material and psychological financial hardship.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Robin Yabroff
- K. Robin Yabroff, Matthew P. Banegas, Neetu Chawla, Danielle Blanch-Hartigan, Erin E. Kent, and Janet S. de Moor, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda; Timothy S. McNeel, Information Management Services, Calverton, MD; Emily C. Dowling, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Danielle Blanch-Hartigan, Bentley University, Waltham, MA; Gery P. Guy Jr, Chunyu Li, Juan L. Rodriguez, and Donatus U. Ekwueme, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Xuesong Han, Zhiyuan Zheng, and Ahmedin Jemal, American Cancer Society; Katherine S. Virgo, Emory University, Atlanta, GA; Amy Davidoff, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT; and Neetu Chawla, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA.
| | - Emily C Dowling
- K. Robin Yabroff, Matthew P. Banegas, Neetu Chawla, Danielle Blanch-Hartigan, Erin E. Kent, and Janet S. de Moor, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda; Timothy S. McNeel, Information Management Services, Calverton, MD; Emily C. Dowling, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Danielle Blanch-Hartigan, Bentley University, Waltham, MA; Gery P. Guy Jr, Chunyu Li, Juan L. Rodriguez, and Donatus U. Ekwueme, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Xuesong Han, Zhiyuan Zheng, and Ahmedin Jemal, American Cancer Society; Katherine S. Virgo, Emory University, Atlanta, GA; Amy Davidoff, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT; and Neetu Chawla, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA
| | - Gery P Guy
- K. Robin Yabroff, Matthew P. Banegas, Neetu Chawla, Danielle Blanch-Hartigan, Erin E. Kent, and Janet S. de Moor, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda; Timothy S. McNeel, Information Management Services, Calverton, MD; Emily C. Dowling, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Danielle Blanch-Hartigan, Bentley University, Waltham, MA; Gery P. Guy Jr, Chunyu Li, Juan L. Rodriguez, and Donatus U. Ekwueme, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Xuesong Han, Zhiyuan Zheng, and Ahmedin Jemal, American Cancer Society; Katherine S. Virgo, Emory University, Atlanta, GA; Amy Davidoff, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT; and Neetu Chawla, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA
| | - Matthew P Banegas
- K. Robin Yabroff, Matthew P. Banegas, Neetu Chawla, Danielle Blanch-Hartigan, Erin E. Kent, and Janet S. de Moor, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda; Timothy S. McNeel, Information Management Services, Calverton, MD; Emily C. Dowling, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Danielle Blanch-Hartigan, Bentley University, Waltham, MA; Gery P. Guy Jr, Chunyu Li, Juan L. Rodriguez, and Donatus U. Ekwueme, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Xuesong Han, Zhiyuan Zheng, and Ahmedin Jemal, American Cancer Society; Katherine S. Virgo, Emory University, Atlanta, GA; Amy Davidoff, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT; and Neetu Chawla, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA
| | - Amy Davidoff
- K. Robin Yabroff, Matthew P. Banegas, Neetu Chawla, Danielle Blanch-Hartigan, Erin E. Kent, and Janet S. de Moor, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda; Timothy S. McNeel, Information Management Services, Calverton, MD; Emily C. Dowling, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Danielle Blanch-Hartigan, Bentley University, Waltham, MA; Gery P. Guy Jr, Chunyu Li, Juan L. Rodriguez, and Donatus U. Ekwueme, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Xuesong Han, Zhiyuan Zheng, and Ahmedin Jemal, American Cancer Society; Katherine S. Virgo, Emory University, Atlanta, GA; Amy Davidoff, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT; and Neetu Chawla, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA
| | - Xuesong Han
- K. Robin Yabroff, Matthew P. Banegas, Neetu Chawla, Danielle Blanch-Hartigan, Erin E. Kent, and Janet S. de Moor, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda; Timothy S. McNeel, Information Management Services, Calverton, MD; Emily C. Dowling, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Danielle Blanch-Hartigan, Bentley University, Waltham, MA; Gery P. Guy Jr, Chunyu Li, Juan L. Rodriguez, and Donatus U. Ekwueme, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Xuesong Han, Zhiyuan Zheng, and Ahmedin Jemal, American Cancer Society; Katherine S. Virgo, Emory University, Atlanta, GA; Amy Davidoff, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT; and Neetu Chawla, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA
| | - Katherine S Virgo
- K. Robin Yabroff, Matthew P. Banegas, Neetu Chawla, Danielle Blanch-Hartigan, Erin E. Kent, and Janet S. de Moor, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda; Timothy S. McNeel, Information Management Services, Calverton, MD; Emily C. Dowling, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Danielle Blanch-Hartigan, Bentley University, Waltham, MA; Gery P. Guy Jr, Chunyu Li, Juan L. Rodriguez, and Donatus U. Ekwueme, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Xuesong Han, Zhiyuan Zheng, and Ahmedin Jemal, American Cancer Society; Katherine S. Virgo, Emory University, Atlanta, GA; Amy Davidoff, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT; and Neetu Chawla, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA
| | - Timothy S McNeel
- K. Robin Yabroff, Matthew P. Banegas, Neetu Chawla, Danielle Blanch-Hartigan, Erin E. Kent, and Janet S. de Moor, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda; Timothy S. McNeel, Information Management Services, Calverton, MD; Emily C. Dowling, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Danielle Blanch-Hartigan, Bentley University, Waltham, MA; Gery P. Guy Jr, Chunyu Li, Juan L. Rodriguez, and Donatus U. Ekwueme, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Xuesong Han, Zhiyuan Zheng, and Ahmedin Jemal, American Cancer Society; Katherine S. Virgo, Emory University, Atlanta, GA; Amy Davidoff, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT; and Neetu Chawla, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA
| | - Neetu Chawla
- K. Robin Yabroff, Matthew P. Banegas, Neetu Chawla, Danielle Blanch-Hartigan, Erin E. Kent, and Janet S. de Moor, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda; Timothy S. McNeel, Information Management Services, Calverton, MD; Emily C. Dowling, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Danielle Blanch-Hartigan, Bentley University, Waltham, MA; Gery P. Guy Jr, Chunyu Li, Juan L. Rodriguez, and Donatus U. Ekwueme, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Xuesong Han, Zhiyuan Zheng, and Ahmedin Jemal, American Cancer Society; Katherine S. Virgo, Emory University, Atlanta, GA; Amy Davidoff, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT; and Neetu Chawla, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA
| | - Danielle Blanch-Hartigan
- K. Robin Yabroff, Matthew P. Banegas, Neetu Chawla, Danielle Blanch-Hartigan, Erin E. Kent, and Janet S. de Moor, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda; Timothy S. McNeel, Information Management Services, Calverton, MD; Emily C. Dowling, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Danielle Blanch-Hartigan, Bentley University, Waltham, MA; Gery P. Guy Jr, Chunyu Li, Juan L. Rodriguez, and Donatus U. Ekwueme, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Xuesong Han, Zhiyuan Zheng, and Ahmedin Jemal, American Cancer Society; Katherine S. Virgo, Emory University, Atlanta, GA; Amy Davidoff, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT; and Neetu Chawla, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA
| | - Erin E Kent
- K. Robin Yabroff, Matthew P. Banegas, Neetu Chawla, Danielle Blanch-Hartigan, Erin E. Kent, and Janet S. de Moor, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda; Timothy S. McNeel, Information Management Services, Calverton, MD; Emily C. Dowling, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Danielle Blanch-Hartigan, Bentley University, Waltham, MA; Gery P. Guy Jr, Chunyu Li, Juan L. Rodriguez, and Donatus U. Ekwueme, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Xuesong Han, Zhiyuan Zheng, and Ahmedin Jemal, American Cancer Society; Katherine S. Virgo, Emory University, Atlanta, GA; Amy Davidoff, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT; and Neetu Chawla, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA
| | - Chunyu Li
- K. Robin Yabroff, Matthew P. Banegas, Neetu Chawla, Danielle Blanch-Hartigan, Erin E. Kent, and Janet S. de Moor, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda; Timothy S. McNeel, Information Management Services, Calverton, MD; Emily C. Dowling, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Danielle Blanch-Hartigan, Bentley University, Waltham, MA; Gery P. Guy Jr, Chunyu Li, Juan L. Rodriguez, and Donatus U. Ekwueme, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Xuesong Han, Zhiyuan Zheng, and Ahmedin Jemal, American Cancer Society; Katherine S. Virgo, Emory University, Atlanta, GA; Amy Davidoff, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT; and Neetu Chawla, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA
| | - Juan L Rodriguez
- K. Robin Yabroff, Matthew P. Banegas, Neetu Chawla, Danielle Blanch-Hartigan, Erin E. Kent, and Janet S. de Moor, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda; Timothy S. McNeel, Information Management Services, Calverton, MD; Emily C. Dowling, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Danielle Blanch-Hartigan, Bentley University, Waltham, MA; Gery P. Guy Jr, Chunyu Li, Juan L. Rodriguez, and Donatus U. Ekwueme, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Xuesong Han, Zhiyuan Zheng, and Ahmedin Jemal, American Cancer Society; Katherine S. Virgo, Emory University, Atlanta, GA; Amy Davidoff, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT; and Neetu Chawla, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA
| | - Janet S de Moor
- K. Robin Yabroff, Matthew P. Banegas, Neetu Chawla, Danielle Blanch-Hartigan, Erin E. Kent, and Janet S. de Moor, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda; Timothy S. McNeel, Information Management Services, Calverton, MD; Emily C. Dowling, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Danielle Blanch-Hartigan, Bentley University, Waltham, MA; Gery P. Guy Jr, Chunyu Li, Juan L. Rodriguez, and Donatus U. Ekwueme, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Xuesong Han, Zhiyuan Zheng, and Ahmedin Jemal, American Cancer Society; Katherine S. Virgo, Emory University, Atlanta, GA; Amy Davidoff, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT; and Neetu Chawla, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA
| | - Zhiyuan Zheng
- K. Robin Yabroff, Matthew P. Banegas, Neetu Chawla, Danielle Blanch-Hartigan, Erin E. Kent, and Janet S. de Moor, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda; Timothy S. McNeel, Information Management Services, Calverton, MD; Emily C. Dowling, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Danielle Blanch-Hartigan, Bentley University, Waltham, MA; Gery P. Guy Jr, Chunyu Li, Juan L. Rodriguez, and Donatus U. Ekwueme, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Xuesong Han, Zhiyuan Zheng, and Ahmedin Jemal, American Cancer Society; Katherine S. Virgo, Emory University, Atlanta, GA; Amy Davidoff, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT; and Neetu Chawla, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA
| | - Ahmedin Jemal
- K. Robin Yabroff, Matthew P. Banegas, Neetu Chawla, Danielle Blanch-Hartigan, Erin E. Kent, and Janet S. de Moor, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda; Timothy S. McNeel, Information Management Services, Calverton, MD; Emily C. Dowling, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Danielle Blanch-Hartigan, Bentley University, Waltham, MA; Gery P. Guy Jr, Chunyu Li, Juan L. Rodriguez, and Donatus U. Ekwueme, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Xuesong Han, Zhiyuan Zheng, and Ahmedin Jemal, American Cancer Society; Katherine S. Virgo, Emory University, Atlanta, GA; Amy Davidoff, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT; and Neetu Chawla, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA
| | - Donatus U Ekwueme
- K. Robin Yabroff, Matthew P. Banegas, Neetu Chawla, Danielle Blanch-Hartigan, Erin E. Kent, and Janet S. de Moor, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda; Timothy S. McNeel, Information Management Services, Calverton, MD; Emily C. Dowling, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Danielle Blanch-Hartigan, Bentley University, Waltham, MA; Gery P. Guy Jr, Chunyu Li, Juan L. Rodriguez, and Donatus U. Ekwueme, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Xuesong Han, Zhiyuan Zheng, and Ahmedin Jemal, American Cancer Society; Katherine S. Virgo, Emory University, Atlanta, GA; Amy Davidoff, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT; and Neetu Chawla, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA
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Warren JL, Yabroff KR. Challenges and opportunities in measuring cancer recurrence in the United States. J Natl Cancer Inst 2015; 107:djv134. [PMID: 25971299 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djv134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer recurrence and disease-free survival are key outcomes for measuring the burden of illness, assessing the quality of cancer care, and informing decisions about increasingly costly cancer therapies. Yet information about recurrence is not collected in cancer registries or other population-based data sources. To address the lack of population-based recurrence information, researchers are increasingly using algorithms applied to health claims to infer recurrence. However, the validity of these approaches has not been comprehensively evaluated. In this commentary, we review existing studies and discuss options for improving the availability of recurrence data. We found that the validity of claims-based approaches appears promising in small, single institution studies, but larger population-based studies have identified substantial limitations with using claims to identify recurrence. With the increasing availability of health data, there are potential options that can be implemented to enhance information about recurrence. These options include design of software for the electronic medical record that enables rapid and standardized reporting of recurrence, use of electronic pathology reports to facilitate streamlined collection of recurrence by cancer registries, and mandates by insurers to require reporting of recurrence on health claims submitted by physicians. All of these options will require that governmental agencies, health insurers, professional societies, and other groups recognize the importance of population-based recurrence data and determine that this information is a priority for assessing cancer outcomes and costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan L Warren
- Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD (JLW, KRY).
| | - K Robin Yabroff
- Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD (JLW, KRY)
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The State of Cancer Care in America, 2015: A Report by the American Society of Clinical Oncology. J Oncol Pract 2015; 11:79-113. [DOI: 10.1200/jop.2015.003772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In this second annual State of Cancer Care in America report, ASCO provides background and context to help understand what is happening today in cancer care and describes trends in the cancer care workforce that may affect cancer care in the coming years.
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