Improvements in Health-Related Quality of Life After Financial Navigation Among Cancer Survivors

Financial toxicity is associated with worse health outcomes among cancer survivors. It is unknown if financial navigation (FN) can meaningfully improve the health of survivors experiencing financial toxicity.

This analysis assesses changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among cancer survivors receiving an FN intervention.

A single-arm Type II Hybrid Implementation-Effectiveness clinical trial was conducted at eight clinical oncology sites in North Carolina. Cancer survivors within five years of diagnosis or living with advanced disease with a COmprehensive Score for financial Toxicity (COST-FACIT) score of < 23, and the ability to read and understand English were recruited to receive the Lessening the Impact of Financial Toxicity (LIFT) intervention, which included a comprehensive intake and at least one check-in with a trained navigator. Participants completed the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Global Physical and Mental Health, Anxiety, Depression, and Psychosocial Illness Impact-Positive measures.

A total of N = 86 cancer survivors received the LIFT FN intervention and completed baseline and follow-up surveys. Receipt of LIFT FN was associated with statistically significant improvements in measures of global mental health (change: 1.72, 95% CI: 0.07, 3.38), depression (change: -2.07, 95% CI: -3.90, -0.25), and anxiety (change: -3.33, 95% CI: -5.42, -1.24). From baseline to follow-up, mean depression scores clinically improved from "mild" to "within normal limits," and mean anxiety scores clinically improved from "moderate" to "mild."

Our findings demonstrate that receipt of FN decreased anxiety and depression and improved global mental health. Findings highlight the crucial role of FN in cancer care.

NCT04931251.