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Financial burden of childhood cancer
Insights
Childhood cancer significantly impacts family finances, causing over 50% income loss during inpatient treatment. Families need more financial support, especially for lost earnings and funeral costs.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Health Economics
Background:
- Childhood cancer treatment imposes substantial financial burdens on families.
- Existing financial aid often fails to cover all associated costs, particularly lost income.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the financial consequences of childhood cancer treatment for affected families.
- To assess the adequacy of current financial support systems.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 59 families of children undergoing cancer treatment in 1980.
- Analysis of income loss and additional expenditures during inpatient and outpatient treatment phases.
Main Results:
- Over 45% of families lost over 50% of their income during the first inpatient week.
- More than half of families experienced over 20% income loss during outpatient treatment.
- Financial difficulties were widespread, affecting various socioeconomic groups and increasing funeral cost burdens.
Conclusions:
- Families of children with cancer face severe financial strain, necessitating increased support.
- Current financial aid is insufficient, particularly for compensating lost earnings and funeral expenses.
Abstract:
Fifty-nine of 73 families of children referred for treatment of cancer during 1980 co-operated in a study of the financial consequences of the illness. Except for two social class I families who declined to take part, the sample was representative of the childhood cancer population and families were of similar socioeconomic status to the general population. During the first, inpatient, week week of treatment the sum of income lost plus additional expenditure exceeded 50% of total income in over 45% of families. During a subsequent week of outpatient treatment, loss of income plus additional expenditure amounted to more than 20% of income in over half the families. These problems affected all the groups studied and were not confined to lower paid or those living furthest from the centre. Financial help was available from charitable sources and the DHSS towards travel, extra nourishment, and heating costs but could not be obtained to compensate for loss of earnings. The families of children who died had difficulty in meeting the cost of funerals. Families of children with cancer need more help than is at present available, especially to offset loss of income and the cost of funerals.