COSA 2014* The financial impact of a cancer diagnosis on patients and informal caregivers (#139)
Along with a physical, psychosocial and emotional impact, a diagnosis of cancer can be associated with a substantial financial impact. This presentation will focus on the costs associated with a cancer diagnosis, both on the patient and their informal caregivers and families. Costs will be examined not only through out of pocket expenses for medications or surgery, but also financial impacts through loss of work, reduction of income or child care costs. Risk factors for financial hardship will be examined, and the impact of financial burden on psychosocial outcomes will be presented. This presentation will conclude with clinical recommendations regarding the communication with and support for patients and their families of financial impacts of cancer and identify avenues of future research in this area.
