Impact of Financial Toxicity on Treatment Adherence and Quality of Life in Pancreatic Cancer.

Purpose: Financial toxicity (FT) is increasingly recognized as a major issue in cancer care. We evaluated the prevalence and risk factors for FT in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and FT associations with treatment adherence and quality of life (QOL).

Methods: A screening questionnaire based on the Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST) was implemented at our National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center.

Prioritizing Patient-Centered Care in a World of Increasingly Advanced Technologies and Disconnected Care.

With more treatment options in oncology lead to better outcomes and more favorable side effect profiles, patients are living longer-with higher quality of life-than ever, with a growing survivor population. As the needs of patients and providers evolve, and technology advances, cancer care is subject to change. This review explores the myriad of changes in the current oncology landscape with a focus on the patient perspective and patient-centered care.

Exploring research engagement among nurses in a Magnet®-recognized cancer center: An analysis of knowledge, attitudes, practices, and influencing factors.

Objective: Despite the significance of research in nursing practice and its role in enhancing the quality of life for cancer patients, nurses report limited opportunities to engage with research. Known barriers include limited organizational support, a lack of time, resources, and knowledgeable colleagues/mentors. The study aims to determine research knowledge, attitudes, and practices among cancer nurses and understand factors influencing nurses' involvement in research.

Financial Toxicity Among Women with Breast Cancer Varies by Age and Race.

Introduction: Financial toxicity negatively affects clinical outcomes in breast cancer. Underrepresented demographics may be at higher risk for financial toxicity. We characterized disparities on the basis of age and other factors.

Screening for Health-Related Social Needs and Financial Toxicity Among Patients With Cancer Treated With Radiation Therapy: Findings From a Quality Improvement Project.

Introduction: Financial toxicity is common among patients with cancer, as are co-occurring health-related social risks (HRSRs). There is limited evidence to support best practices in screening for HRSRs and financial toxicity in the cancer context. This analysis sought to understand variations of identified needs based on treatment course using data from a large screening program.

Using Real-World Data to Explore the Impact of One-Time Financial Grants Among Young Adult Cancer Survivors.

Young adult (YA) cancer survivors experience worse financial outcomes than older survivors. This analysis used data from Expect Miracles Foundation to explore the impact of one-time financial grants on financial well-being and access to health care. Among 300 respondents, the average grant was $1526 (standard deviation = $587; range $300-$3000).

The Patient Experience of Prior Authorization for Cancer Care.

Importance: Prior authorization (PA) requires clinicians and patients to navigate a complex approval pathway. Resultant delays and denials can be particularly problematic for patients with cancer, who often need urgent treatment or symptom management.

Objective: To investigate the patient perspective of PA for cancer-related care, including perceptions about the process, outcomes (including delays and denials), and patient administrative burden.

Administrative Burden Associated with Cost-Related Delays in Care in U.S. Cancer Patients.

Background: U.S. cancer patients engage in administrative tasks to pay for their healthcare.

Do discussions of financial burdens decrease long-term financial toxicity in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors?

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the associations between patient-provider cost discussions with patient-reported out-of-pocket (OOP) spending and long-term financial toxicity (FT) among adolescent and young adult (AYA; 15-39 years old) cancer survivors.

Methods: Using a cross-sectional survey, we assessed the themes and quality of patient discussions with providers about financial needs and general survivorship preparation, quantified patients' levels of FT, and evaluated patient-reported OOP spending. We determined the association between cancer treatment cost discussion and FT using multivariable analysis.

Financial Toxicity Order Set: Implementing a Simple Intervention to Better Connect Patients With Resources.

Purpose: Financial toxicity of cancer treatment is well described in the literature, including characterizations of its risk factors, manifestations, and consequences. There is, however, limited research on interventions, particularly those at the hospital level, to address the issue.

Methods: From March 1, 2019, to February 28, 2022, a multidisciplinary team conducted a three-cycle Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) process to develop, test, and implement an electronic medical record (EMR) order set to directly refer patients to a hospital-based financial assistance program.

The long-term financial experiences of adolescent and young adult cancer survivors.

Background: Cancer-related financial hardship can negatively impact financial well-being and may prevent adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors (ages 15-39) from gaining financial independence. This analysis explored the financial experiences following diagnosis with cancer among AYA survivors.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, anonymous survey of a national sample of AYAs recruited online.

Oncologists' Attitudes Toward Cancer Care Affordability.

This investigator-designed survey study evaluates oncologists’ attitudes about cancer treatment affordability for patients and acceptability of physician-based solutions.

Patient-reported benefit from proposed interventions to reduce financial toxicity during cancer treatment.

Introduction: Financial toxicity is common and pervasive among cancer patients. Research suggests that gynecologic cancer patients experiencing financial toxicity are at increased risk for engaging in harmful cost-coping strategies, including delaying/skipping treatment because of costs, or forsaking basic needs to pay medical bills. However, little is known about patients' preferences for interventions to address financial toxicity.

Economic distress, financial toxicity, and medical cost-coping in young adult cancer survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from an online sample.

Background: Young adult (YA) cancer survivors are at risk for financial toxicity during and after cancer treatment. Financial toxicity has been associated with medical-related cost-coping behaviors such as skipping or delaying treatment. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in dire economic consequences that may worsen financial hardship among young survivors.

Evidence of the Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of Oncology Financial Navigation: A Scoping Review.

One in three cancer patients reports financial hardship. Cancer-related financial hardship is associated with diminished quality of life, treatment nonadherence, and early mortality. Over 80% of NCI-designated cancer centers provide some form of oncology financial navigation (OFN).

The experience of financial toxicity among advanced melanoma patients treated with immunotherapy.

To measure financial toxicity and explore its association with quality of life (QOL) in an emerging population of survivors: advanced melanoma patients treated with immunotherapy. Cross-sectional survey and medical record review. 106 survivors (39% response).

Quality of life in long-term survivors of advanced melanoma treated with checkpoint inhibitors.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (CIs) have revolutionized treatment of advanced melanoma, leading to an emerging population of long-term survivors. Survivors' quality of life (QOL) and symptom burden are poorly understood. We set out to evaluate symptom burden and QOL in patients with advanced melanoma alive more than 1 year after initiating CI therapy.

Fertility Preservation: Improving Access Through Nurse-Advocated Financial Assistance.

Background: Young adult patients and survivors may face impaired fertility or infertility as a result of their cancer treatment, and many will need costly assisted reproductive technology to build their families. Fertility nurse specialists (FNSs) can play a role in alleviating the distress associated with the co-occurrence of financial toxicity and impaired fertility/infertility.

Objectives: This article describes a nurse-led oncofertility program that offers counseling to patients of any age, with any diagnosis, and at any stage of treatment.

Quality of life improves after palliative placement of percutaneous tunneled drainage catheter for refractory ascites in prospective study of patients with end-stage cancer.

Objective: Percutaneous tunneled drainage catheter (PTDC) placement is a palliative alternative to serial paracenteses in patients with end-stage cancer and refractory ascites. The impact of PTDC on quality of life (QoL) and long-term outcomes has not been prospectively described. The objective was to evaluate changes in QoL after PTDC.

The Impact of Financial Toxicity on Psychological Well-Being, Coping Self-Efficacy, and Cost-Coping Behaviors in Young Adults with Cancer.

The increase in cost-sharing between patients and payers has resulted in financial toxicity in cancer patients, particularly among young adult (YA) patients and survivors (<40 years of age). This study explored financial toxicity and its impact on psychological well-being, self-efficacy for coping with cancer, and cost-coping behaviors among a sample of YA cancer patients and survivors. One hundred forty YAs completed an anonymous online survey.