Baseline Financial Toxicity and Cost-Coping Mechanisms Among Patients Presenting for Radiation Therapy

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Health Economics
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Financial toxicity (FT) presents a significant barrier to quality cancer care.
• Limited data exist on FT prevalence at radiation therapy initiation across diverse cancer types.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of FT among patients starting radiation therapy.
• To investigate associations between FT and demographic/clinical factors.
• To examine the link between FT and cost-coping behaviors.

Main Methods:

• Prospective longitudinal study involving adult patients commencing radiation therapy.
• Utilized the Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (CSFT) tool in a pretreatment survey.
• Employed statistical analyses including chi-squared, Fisher's exact, Wilcoxon rank-sum, and log-binomial regression.

Main Results:

• 35% of 265 patients reported high FT.
• High FT was associated with younger age, being unmarried, lower income/education, and non-English speaking.
• Patients with high FT were more likely to reduce work, delay care, borrow money, and cut back on essentials.

Conclusions:

• High FT is prevalent at radiation therapy initiation.
• FT is linked to social determinants of health and clinical factors.
• Early FT screening and interventions are essential for mitigating negative impacts on patient outcomes.