Conceptualization and sources of costs from breast cancer: Findings from patient and caregiver focus groups

Abstract

Assessment of economic burden of breast cancer to patient and family has generally been overlooked in assessing the impact of this disease. We explored economic aspects from the perspective of women and their caregivers. Focus groups were conducted in 3 Quebec cities representing urban and semi-urban settings: 3 with 26 women first treated for non-metastatic breast cancer in the past 18 months, and 3 with 24 primary caregivers. We purposefully selected participants with different characteristics likely to affect the nature or extent of costs. Thematic content analysis was conducted on verbatim transcripts. Costs of breast cancer could be substantial, but were not the most worrisome aspect of the illness during treatments. Some costs were considered unavoidable, others depended on ability to pay. Costs occurred over a long period, with long term impact, and were borne by the whole family and not just the woman. Principal cost sources discussed were those associated with accessing health care, wage losses, reorganization of everyday life, and coping with the disease. This study provided deeper understanding of cost dynamics and the experience of costs among Canadian women with non-metastatic breast cancer, whose treatment and medical follow-up costs are borne through a system of universal, publicly funded health care.

Work absence after breast cancer diagnosis: a population-based study

“…For 74% of survivors, absence durations exceeded the 15-week federal employment insurance available during periods of illness, although an unknown proportion of women may have had access to additional disability insurance. Nonetheless, given that salary loss represents the greatest and most worrisome financial cost of breast cancer for some women, 10 work absence likely represents a negative aspect of the cancer experience.…”

“…For selfemployed workers, taking time off can mean the loss of contracts or of a professional network, and it often means no income during the absence. 10 Also, the aggressive management of breast cancer in recent years, which involves multiple modalities, may increase the time away from work for initial treatment or because of side effects. 8 We compared absence from work during the 3 years after first diagnosis among breast cancer survivors and women who had never had cancer.…”

‘The bills that were coming in…’: out of pocket costs during relocation for specialist treatment for haematological malignancies

“…The available research is on the generic category of cancer or diagnostic categories such as breast cancer [7,8], prostate and lung cancer [1,2], brain tumour [9], colorectal cancer [10] and on paediatric conditions [11]. This paper responds to the call for more research to fully understand OOP costs for cancer patients [3], through a detailed discussion of such costs for adult haematology patients from Queensland, Australia, who have to relocate to the metropolitan hospital for specialist treatment.…”

Employment Among Survivors of Lung Cancer and Colorectal Cancer

“…4,5 Almost all prior studies of the effect of cancer on employment have focused on patients with breast cancer. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] This study sought to describe the frequency of altered employment status after a diagnosis of colorectal or lung cancer; to relate changes in employment status to changes in insurance; and to assess the patient sociodemographic, disease, and treatment characteristics that may predict such changes.…”