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Financial distress in cancer patients

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Medicine and the Person

Abstract

Novel diagnostic and therapeutic options offer hope to cancer patients with both localized and advanced disease. However, many of these treatments are often costly and even well-insured patients can face high out-of-pocket costs. Families may also be at risk of financial distress due to lost wages and other treatment-related expenses. Research is needed to measure and characterize financial distress in cancer patients and understand how it affects their quality of life. In addition, health care providers need to be trained to counsel patients and their families so they can make patient-centered treatment decisions that reflect their preferences and values.

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Conflict of interest

Dr. Wong was supported by P30CA006927 and K07 CA 136995 from the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Wong was a paid consultant to Independence Blue Cross. Dr. de Souza has received support from the Institute of Translational Medicine (ITM) Clinical and Translational Science Award grant number UL1 TR000430.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical Oncology, University of Chicago School of Medicine, Chicago, USA

    Jonas A. de Souza

  2. Medical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, 333 Cottman Ave, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA

    Yu-Ning Wong

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  1. Jonas A. de Souza
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  2. Yu-Ning Wong
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Correspondence to Yu-Ning Wong.

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de Souza, J.A., Wong, YN. Financial distress in cancer patients. J Med Pers 11, 73–77 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12682-013-0152-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12682-013-0152-3

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