P5-20-01: Patient Valuation of Reduced Risk of Side Effects during Treatment for Metastatic Breast Cancer.

Abstract

Abstract Background Chemotherapy treatment for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) has shown significant benefits in survival for breast cancer patients. However, chemotherapy is associated with several side effects that have a significant impact on patients’ quality of life. The objective of this analysis was to quantify the value patients with MBC place on reduced risk of treatment side effects. Methods: A willingness to pay (WTP) survey was developed to assess metastatic breast cancer patients’ willingness to pay for a reduction in the risk of breast cancer treatment side effects. The survey assessed patients’ WTP for a 25%, 50% and 100% reduction in the risk of all side effects. Patients were also asked to select the side effect they would pay the most to avoid. Additionally, the survey collected demographic information such as treatment regimen, age, race/ethnicity, region, employment status, and insurance type. Results: The survey was completed by 202 metastatic breast cancer patients. Most survey respondents were white (94%), married (62%), and over the age of 51 (78%). Most patients were covered by private insurance (67%) or Medicare (24%). Of the 58% of respondents who remembered paying out of pocket for their last treatment, the average out of pocket payment was $459. Survey respondents were willing to pay an extra $1,886, $3,837 and $7,794 for a 25%, 50% and 100% reduction in the risk of all side effects, respectively. Hair loss (28%), pain (17%) and nausea (15%) were selected most often as the side effect respondents would pay the most to avoid. Discussion: Chemotherapy for MBC is associated with several adverse events that patients would like to avoid or reduce such as hair loss, pain, nausea and neutropenia. This analysis demonstrates patients with MBC place a significant value on reducing the risk of side effects and are willing to pay 4.2 times for a treatment devoid of side effects as compared to a treatment with a 25% reduction in the risk of treatment side effects. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-20-01.