The impact of chemotherapy use on financial strain among stage III colorectal cancer patients: A population-based survey.

Abstract

505 Background: Many colorectal cancer (CRC) patients suffer personal financial hardship from the disease and its treatment. We hypothesized that chemotherapy use is associated with even greater financial burden and worry. Methods: We analyzed data from a population-based survey of patients with stage III CRC in the Georgia and Detroit SEER catchment areas focusing on the effects of CRC and its treatment on personal finances. The primary outcomes were financial burden, assessed with a seven-component composite measure, and financial worry, assessed with a 5 point Likert scale. The primary independent variable was chemotherapy use. We evaluated relationships between chemotherapy use and individual components of financial burden, as well as composite financial burden and worry, using chi square analyses. Logistic regression was used to examine the effect of chemotherapy use on financial burden and worry, after controlling for patient characteristics. Results: Financial burden scores and financial worry were significantly higher among chemotherapy users (P<0.001). Financial burden and worry were associated with younger age, lack of insurance, and lower education. After controlling for these factors, chemotherapy use remained significantly associated with both financial burden and financial worry. 717/844 respondents (85%) reported chemotherapy use. Chemotherapy users were more likely to use savings (34% vs 20%, P=0.001), borrow money/take out loans (14% vs 4%, P=0.001), fail to make credit card payments (14% vs 5%, P=0.003), reduce spending for food and/or clothing (31% vs 14%, P<0.0001), decrease recreational activities (38% vs 15%, P<0.0001), and reduce general expenses (51% vs 24%, P<0.0001) than those who did not use chemotherapy. Conclusions: Adjuvant chemotherapy confers significant survival benefit in stage III colorectal cancer (CRC), but is associated with significantly increased personal financial burden and worry. Because financial stress has the potential to preclude adherence to recommended care, CRC patients who receive chemotherapy may require additional social services and economic support.