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A Systematic Review of Financial Toxicity Among Cancer Survivors: We Can’t Pay the Co-Pay

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Abstract

Objective

To determine the extent of financial toxicity (FT) among cancer survivors, identify the determinants and how FT is measured.

Methods

A systematic review was performed in MEDLINE, CINAHL and PsycINFO, using relevant terminology and included articles published from 1 January, 2013 to 30 June, 2016. We included observational studies where the primary outcomes included FT and study samples were greater than 200. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed.

Results

From 417 citations, a total of 25 studies were included in this review. Seventy outcomes of FT were reported with 47 covering monetary, objective and subjective indicators of FT. A total of 28–48% of patients reported FT using monetary measures and 16–73% using subjective measures. The most commonly reported factors associated with FT were: being female, younger age, low income at baseline, adjuvant therapies and more recent diagnosis. Relative to non-cancer comparison groups, cancer survivors experienced significantly higher FT. Most studies were cross-sectional and causal inferences between FT and determinants were not possible. Measures of FT were varied and most were not validated, while monetary values of out-of-pocket expenses included different cost components across studies.

Conclusions

A substantial proportion of cancer survivors experience financial hardship irrespective of how it is measured. Using standardised outcomes and longitudinal designs to measure FT would improve determination of the extent of FT. Further research is recommended on reduced work participation and income losses occurring concurrently with FT and on the impacts on treatment non-adherence.

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Author contributions

LG and KM planned the search strategy, and performed searches and extracted the data into tables and Endnote. LG and KM drafted the paper with assistance from RC and AL. RC and AL provided consumer and clinical insights to the project and the written draft. LG synthesised the findings and produced summary information and results for Fig. 2. All authors contributed to the writing and editing of the final draft and have approved the submitted version.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Population Health, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Rd, Herston, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia

    Louisa G. Gordon

  2. Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia

    Katharina M. D. Merollini

  3. Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Anthony Lowe

  4. Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia

    Anthony Lowe

  5. School of Nursing, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    Raymond J. Chan

  6. Cancer Care Services, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Herston, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    Raymond J. Chan

Authors
  1. Louisa G. Gordon
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  4. Raymond J. Chan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Louisa G. Gordon.

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Funding

The authors received no funding assistance to conduct this study.

Conflict of interest

KM, AL and RC have no conflicts of interest to disclose. LG received consultancy fees for related work in 2013.

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Gordon, L.G., Merollini, K.M.D., Lowe, A. et al. A Systematic Review of Financial Toxicity Among Cancer Survivors: We Can’t Pay the Co-Pay. Patient 10, 295–309 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40271-016-0204-x

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