Keywords

Breast cancer, Chemotherapy, Family burden, Health care economics, Patient costs, Symptom management

 

Authors

  1. Moore, Kate A. Ph.D., R.N.

Abstract

Patients with cancer soon discover that there is much more to the cost of treatment than hospital and physician bills. Out-of-pocket expenses for transportation, food supplements, over-the-counter medications, distractions, telephone bills, insurance premiums-at a time when employment may be out of the question-can be a significant drain on family finances. Women with regional breast cancer reported their estimates of out-of-pocket expenses incurred during 1 month of outpatient chemotherapy. All women in the study were covered by some form of insurance. Mean monthly out-of-pocket costs were $360 (SD = $346), and ranged from $36 to $1224. Additional costs for wigs, special events, gifts, and alternative treatment incurred since diagnosis, ranged from $20 to $3700. These costs excluded expenses for health providers. Very low and very high expenditures may indicate risks concealed from providers that may have subsequent impact on long-term capacity to sustain treatment. Nurses can help families anticipate expenses and prioritize referrals to community agencies.