PCN340 Direct and Indirect Costs Associated with Unresectable Advanced or Metastatic (ADV/MET) Gastric Cancer (GC), Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer (GEJC) and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma (EAC) for Patients and Their Caregivers

Abstract

Living with cancer creates financial burden on patients and their caregivers. Our study explored direct and indirect costs for patients with ADV/MET GC, GEJC and EAC and their caregivers. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in France, Germany, the UK, the US, Japan and China (Apr–Oct 2019) in patients with ADV/MET GC/GEJC/EAC , their caregivers and their physicians. Costs were converted into GBP (£) for analysis. 995 patients and 536 non-professional caregivers (NPCs) were included. Median patient/NPC age was 66/60 years. At initial diagnosis, 30% and 41% of patients/NPCs were working full- or part-time. Following diagnosis, at data capture, 8% and 37% of patients/NPCs were working full- or part-time. Data was available for 73% (n=215) of patients working at initial diagnosis, who reported an annual income reduction of £34,792 (SD: £13,740). Of patients with data, still working at data capture (n=63), 41% suffered an income reduction. A mean reduction of 85% in monthly working hours was experienced by the 43 patients who reported working hours at initial diagnosis/data capture. Patients paid a mean total of £346.20 out of pocket costs/month; the highest cost items were prescription/non-prescription cancer medications (£156.70), housekeeper/cleaner (£32.90) and tests such as blood tests and scans (£29.90). Costs varied by country. Of NPCs working at the patient’s initial diagnosis, with data (n=220), 9% experienced an average annual income reduction of £20,269 (SD: £19,107). 21% of 177 NPCs working at data capture experienced an income reduction since patient diagnosis. 34% of 525 NPCs provided financial support to patients (mean £358/month). Financial support was most commonly provided for transportation/travel (78%) and medication (59%). 97% of 532 NPCs were not reimbursed for their caregiver role. Whilst patients experienced the greatest direct and indirect financial impact, caregivers also suffered from financial burden due to ADV/MET GC/GEJC/EAC.