Author:
Rast Jonas,Zebralla Veit,Dietz Andreas,Wichmann Gunnar,Wiegand Susanne
Abstract
BackgroundThe financial toxicity of cancer causes higher morbidity and mortality. As the financial burden due to head and neck cancer (HNC) in European healthcare systems with legally established compulsory health insurance is still poorly understood, we set up an investigation to assess the financial impact of HNC.MethodsBetween August 2022 and March 2023, HNC consecutive patients (n = 209) attending the cancer aftercare program of a university hospital in an outpatient setting were surveyed utilizing self-administered questionnaires about their socioeconomic situation, income loss, and out-of-pocket payments (OOPPs).ResultsThe majority of HNC patients (n = 119, 59.5%) reported significant financial burden as a consequence of OOPP (n = 100, 50.0%) and/or income loss (n = 51, 25.5%). HNC patients reporting financial burden due to OOPP had on average 1,716 € per year costs related to their disease, whereas patients reporting an income loss had a mean monthly income loss of 620.53 €. Advanced UICC (7th edition, 2017) stage, T3 or T4 category, and larynx/hypopharynx cancer are significant predictors of financial burden.ConclusionHNC survivors suffer from significant financial burden after HNC treatment, even in Germany with a healthcare system with statutory health insurance. The findings from this study offer valuable insights for healthcare professionals and policymakers, helping them acknowledge the economic impact of HNC.
Reference57 articles.
1. Disparities by race, age, and sex in the improvement of survival for major cancers: Results from the National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program in United States, 1990 to 2010;Zeng;JAMA Oncol,2015
2. Inequalities in out-of-pocket payments for health care services among elderly Germans – results of a population-based cross-sectional study;Bock;Int J Equity Health,2014
3. Financial hardship in patients with head and neck cancer;Mott;JCO Oncol Pract,2022
4. Financial toxicity in cancer care: Prevalence, causes, consequences, and reduction strategies;Lentz;J Surg Oncol,2019
5. The financial hazard of personalized medicine and supportive care;Carrera;Support Care Cancer,2015