Preliminary outcomes of a financial navigation program among lower socioeconomic patients with cancer.

Abstract

12071 Background: Cancer patients receiving treatment are at risk of experiencing financial hardship, especially among those from lower socioeconomic status (SES) households. Patients experiencing financial toxicity are more likely to report poorer physical-wellbeing, higher anxiety, housing or food insecurity, and treatment non-adherence. While financial navigation programs are present, there is a lack of standardized practice to mitigate financial hardship among cancer patients. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the preliminary efficacy of Family Reach’s oncology financial treatment program (FTP) on financial toxicity, quality of life, and anxiety in low SES patients. FTP consists of individualized resource navigation, financial education services, and a $1000 patient assistance grant that was used towards non-treatment related expenses. Methods: 152 cancer patients undergoing active treatment, with household incomes under the 400% poverty line were recruited from two NCI-designated cancer centers. 99 participants completed the baseline and 2-month follow-up survey, consisting of these measures: COST: A FACIT Measure of Financial Toxicity (COST), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), poverty exposers and treatment adherence items (secondary outcomes). Results: Participants were 69% female; roughly half (51%) were African American/Black, 34% were white, 4% were mixed, 3% were Asian and 8% reported ‘other’ or preferred not to answer. COST score at baseline (M=10.5, SD=6.4) significantly increased after 2 months (M=12.9, SD=7.9), t(176.2)= -2.3, p<.05. HADS-Anxiety score at baseline (M=11.1, SD=4.7) significantly decreased after 2 months (M=9.2, SD=4.4), t(186.0)= 2.88, p<.01. SF-36 Physical functioning score at baseline (M=34.0, SD=27.2) significantly increased after 2 months (M=43.9, SD=31.0), t(170.3)= -2.26, p<.05. See Table for secondary outcomes. Conclusions: Early evidence of FTP indicates promising results to increase financial and physical well-being, and in reducing anxiety among lower SES cancer patients. FTP showed improvements in COST scores and reduced non-medical cost concerns. However, COST scores reported in this study are still lower compared to other studies. A planned future study involving monthly guaranteed income payments will be carried out to examine if financial well-being and treatment adherence can be achieved. Supported by: One Family Foundation/Social Impact Fund Secondary outcomes. [Table: see text]