Childhood cancer: nonmedical costs of the illness

The financial burden of cancer treatment is a major source of anxiety for the families of pediatric cancer patients. Parents of these patients report that nonmedical, out-of-pocket expenditures are the most troublesome because, unlike medical bills, nonmedical costs must be paid immediately and are rarely reimbursed. Data on nonmedical expenditures (transportation, food, lodging, clothing, family care, and miscellaneous) were collected from 70 patients' families for one-week periods at three-month intervals. Multiple regression analysis was carried out to ascertain the factors influencing costs. Factors contributing to nonmedical costs included level of care, the patient's Performance Status, distance from the treatment center, and family size. Thirty-two families reported loss of pay when one or both parents accompanied the child to the hospital. When this loss was combined with the nonmedical costs, the results indicated a serious strain on the family budget. For half the families surveyed, the total expenses plus loss of pay amounted to more than 25% of the weekly family income.