Hidden financial costs in treatment for childhood cancer: an Australian study of lifestyle implications for families absorbing out-of-pocket expenses.

Purpose: The impact of out-of-pocket expenses on five domains of family lifestyle were explored: social, assets, credit, utilities, and charity.

Methods: Using a cross-sectional survey, 100 parents of pediatric cancer patients reported on the types of out-of-pocket expenses incurred and the perceived lifestyle impact of meeting those expenses.

Results: Eighty percent of the sample reported a minimum of five different out-of-pocket expenses (total mean value = 19,064 Australian dollars; approximately 9,723 US dollars).