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July 23, 2018
In addition to new health concerns, people diagnosed with cancer often worry about the financial burden of treatment. A new study indicates that many patients feel that this "financial toxicity" is not adequately treated by their doctors and other clinicians. The results are published early online in CANCER a journal of the American Cancer Society.
There is growing awareness that the diagnosis and treatment of cancer can create financial difficulties even for patients. it is not clear if patients today are helped by their doctors or staff with these challenges. To investigate, Reshma Jagsi, MD, DPhil, of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and colleagues interviewed early-stage bad cancer patients and their physicians: 2502 patients, 370 surgeons, 306 oncologists medical and 169 radiation oncologists. 19659003] Half of medical oncologists surveyed reported that someone in their practice often or always discussed financial burden with patients, as did 15.6% of surgeons and 43.2% of radiation oncologists. Patients indicated that financial toxicity remains common: 21.5% of Whites and 22.5% of Asians have had to reduce their food costs, as have 45.2% of Blacks and 35.8% of Latinas.
The survey also revealed that many patients wanted to talk. to providers on the financial impact of cancer: 15.2% of whites, 31.1% of blacks, 30.3% of Latinas and 25.4% of Asians. The unmet need of patients for financial commitment with physicians was common. Of the 945 women who were worried about finances, 679 (72.8%) indicated that doctors and their staff were not helping them. Of the 523 women who wanted to talk to providers about the impact of bad cancer on employment or finances, 283 (55.4%) said they did not discuss this issue
: " We found that the researchers noted that while advances in detection and treatment have transformed how bad cancer is perceived and managed, this study reveals an important aspect of the disease, said Dr. Jagsi [19659005]. can not be neglected or addressed after the fact. "Efforts must now turn to cope with the financial ravages that many patients are facing, especially as they progress in survival," said Dr. Jagsi. "The first steps in clinical practice and policy are clear: all doctors must badess the financial toxicity of patients and learn to communicate effectively about the disease, which does not allow them to treat the disease at the cost of financial ruin . and failure to recognize and alleviate the financial distress of a patient is no longer acceptable. "
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