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Open Access 11-07-2022 | Breast Cancer | Original Article

Financial toxicity in female patients with breast cancer: a national cross-sectional study in China

Authors: Meicen Liu, Linlin Hu, Xueyan Han, Man Cao, Jing Sun, Yuanli Liu

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 10/2022

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Abstract

Purpose

To quantify financial toxicity of female patients with breast cancer in China and investigate its factors and patients’ coping strategies.

Methods

The Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST) is defined by using a structured questionnaire containing 12 items measuring perceived affordability of healthcare services, with the range of scoring of which being from 0 to 44 (higher score indicates lower financial toxicity). From January to March 2021, a total of 664 female patients diagnosed with stage 0–IV breast cancer were recruited from 33 public tertiary cancer hospitals located in 31 provinces of China. Multivariate linear regression models were used.

Results

The median age of patients was 48 years (range: 26–84 years), and 62.04% lived in urban areas. The median COST score was 21.00 (interquartile range: 15–26). Older age, higher household income, and better self-reported health status were associated with lower financial toxicity, while a bigger household size, being retired or unemployed, stage IV cancer, and a history of targeted therapy were associated with higher financial toxicity (all P < 0.05). Nearly half of the patients reported using at least one coping strategy, including considering quitting treatment, delaying treatment, and failing to take medicine or attend medical visits as instructed. The people with increased financial toxicity seem to adopt more coping strategies.

Conclusions

Financial toxicity and coping strategies are common among Chinese women with breast cancer. An understanding of the factors regarding financial toxicity may help oncologists and policy-makers identify at-risk patients and develop targeted interventions.
Appendix
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Literature
29.
31.
go back to reference Yu HH, Bi X, Liu YY (2017) Reliability and validity of the Chinese version on Comprehensive Scores for Financial Toxicity based on the patient-reported outcome measures. Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi 38(8):1118–1120PubMed Yu HH, Bi X, Liu YY (2017) Reliability and validity of the Chinese version on Comprehensive Scores for Financial Toxicity based on the patient-reported outcome measures. Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi 38(8):1118–1120PubMed
Metadata
Title
Financial toxicity in female patients with breast cancer: a national cross-sectional study in China
Authors
Meicen Liu
Linlin Hu
Xueyan Han
Man Cao
Jing Sun
Yuanli Liu
Publication date
11-07-2022
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 10/2022
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-022-07264-3

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