Even During Routine Cancer Care, Financial Hardship Significantly Increases Mortality
Patients with cancer experiencing financial hardship during routine care are nearly 1.5 times more likely to die than those who aren’t, researchers reported (https://doi.org/10.1200/op.22.00276) in study findings published in JCO Oncology Practice.
The researchers analyzed financial hardship screening data for 31,154 patients, 14% (n = 4,250) of whom experienced financial hardship during their routine cancer care and were 146% more likely to die during treatment. Factors that significantly increased a patient’s likelihood of financial hardship were being part of a racial or ethnic minority population; unemployed, disabled, single, or divorced; from disadvantaged neighborhoods; and self-paid or on government insurance. Older age, being retired, and living farther from the cancer center were associated with significantly less likelihood of financial hardship.
“Further research is needed to develop clinical care pathways for patients at high risk for worse financial and clinical outcomes,” the researchers concluded.
Get information and ideas to help patients experiencing financial hardship on the Oncology Nursing Podcast Episode 2: Financial Toxicity in Patients With Cancer (https://www.ons.org/podcasts/episode-2-financial-toxicity-patients-cancer) and the ONS Financial Toxicity Huddle Card™️ (https://www.ons.org/clinical-practice-resources/financial-toxicity-huddle-card).