A study recently completed by Pitt Nursing researchers that examined how financial hardship affects the quality of life in patients with advanced cancer was cited in a national blog.
In “Financial Hardship and Quality of Life Among Patients with Advanced Cancer Receiving Outpatient Palliative Care: A Pilot Study” assistant professor Dr. Sarah Belcher, Emory co-PI Dr. Kate Yeager, and colleagues determined that more extensive studies that follow patients over time are needed to better understand how financial hardship affects a patient’s quality of life.
“Patients with advanced cancer have not regularly been included in studies about cancer and treatment related financial hardship,” said Dr. Belcher. “Our study was able to recruit a diverse group of study participants with advanced cancer who were receiving outpatient palliative care services. We found high levels of financial hardship and symptom burden and low quality of life. When study participants were asked if any doctor or health care provider had discussed their out-of-pocket cost of cancer care since first being diagnosed, over 68% of participants said no, “did not discuss it at all,” and over 20% said “briefly discussed it with me.” There is a need for ongoing and focused clinical and social support for patients facing the cumulative effects of advanced cancer and its treatment. Additional research and policies are also needed to inform interventions, guide clinical discussions, and to assist clinicians and engage systems in meeting these needs.”
Dr. Belcher & colleagues’ study was cited in a recent blog posted on the National Cancer Institute’s website. “Even if Insured, People with Advanced Cancer Often Face Financial Problems” was written by Edward Winstead and examines the financial problems people being treated for advanced cancer experience, even if they have health insurance.
“There is increasing recognition of the potentially devastating effects of financial hardship related to cancer and treatment,” said Dr. Belcher. “The individuals in our study were not only experiencing advanced cancers, but many were also dealing with difficulty paying for basic needs, inability to cover one’s cost of cancer care, and cancer-related debt. Being included in the national dialogue about this critical issue allows us to highlight the experiences of our study participants, make suggestions for research areas that need additional inquiry and clinical support, and call further attention to this important topic.”
Winstead investigated a recent study that enrolled 380 patients with advanced colorectal cancer; all but seven had health insurance and found that after a year of joining the study, nearly three-quarters of the patients faced financial hardships.
“Study findings continue to support the harmful effects of financial hardship on quality of life in patients with cancer, which can occur across the disease trajectory,” said Dr. Belcher.