PCN118 - The Role of Cancer Care on Patient Productivity, Caregiver Burden, and Personal Financial Hardship

Abstract

This study aims to determine the sources of financial burden among patients who have ever been diagnosed with cancer, with a focus on productivity, caregiver burden, and health coverage. This is a cross-sectional analysis of the 2011 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) Experiences with Cancer Survivorship Survey. These data were collected using the Cancer Self-Administered Questionnaire (CSAQ) for persons aged ≥ 18 years, who were ever diagnosed by a doctor or health professional with cancer or a malignancy of any kind. For this study, patients who reported having non-melanoma skin cancer were excluded. In 2011, 13.9 million adults were estimated to have ever been diagnosed with cancer in the United States, of which 15% are being currently treated and 31% were treated within the last 5 years. Of those receiving treatment while employed, almost half of those making changes to their work schedule due to cancer had to take unpaid time off. Nine in 10 took up to a year of unpaid leave. One quarter of caregivers for cancer patients made changes to their work schedules, and a third of them made that change for at least 2 months. Of cancer survivors who borrowed money or went into debt because of cancer, 17% filed for bankruptcy. Seven in 10 people with debt of $100,000 or more reported having a health care visit for cancer that was not covered by their insurance. More than half of the estimated cancer patients being treated are of working age and employed. As the population of cancer survivors continues to increase, the loss of productivity and financial hardship for cancer patients and their families may continue to grow.