Where advocacy meets patient-centered care-cost considerations in breast reconstruction decision-making

Cancer care in the United States is unquestionably expensive. In 2017, annual costs related to cancer-related treatment reached $180 billion. There is clear evidence that the increased cost of cancer care translates to financial hardship. This hardship is widespread, impacting as many as 75% of patients and their families with associated adverse sequelae. Growing recognition of the negative impact of cancer-related treatment costs on patients and their families led to the creation of the term "financial toxicity". The present editorial is borne out of the need to bring this problem to the attention of practicing surgeons, as to the best of our knowledge is still underreported in our specialties.