Abstract
Background: Not all of cancer treatment will be covered by health insurance, even in the country providing public coverage, such as in Taiwan. Treatment costs, medical necessity, and care processes may impose a significant financial and emotional burden on patients and their families, especially facing with diverse coverage of national or commercial health insurance for new cancer drugs or systemic treatments. Financial burdens may involve absences from work, and hidden costs related to the alteration of family roles. That's how to manage the burden remains to be uncovered for further development of supportive care.
Purpose: This study aimed to describe the experience of managing financial burden in cancer patients and family. Lung or breast cancer survivors and family who are susceptible to confront for managing finance or dealing with social function were invited, such as those with advanced or recurred cancer, being recommended for self-paid systemic treatment in Taiwan.
Methods: The qualitative inquiry applied audio-recorded, open-ended interviews on a purposive sample of 19 survivors or families with advanced stage, recurred lung or breast cancer, or who received systemic cancer treatment. Data were transcribed and analyzed by constant comparison.
Findings: Experience of managing financial impact from cancer treatment characterizes being distressed by medical and related costs, constrained work and daily activities, disruptions in family dynamics, and uncertainty of treatment outcome. Participants also encountered difficulties in managing the constraints of insurance coverage and making challenging financial decisions for treatment. Managing strategies included exploiting medical and social support services, increasing information for informed decision-making, financial planning, modifying daily routines, depending on familial support, and seeking emotional and spiritual support.
Discussion and Implications: This study addressing psychosocial and economic aspects emphasizes the diverse effects of cancer and cancer treatment on patients and families, and emphasizing the necessity of integrated support networks for coping with these challenges.
Notes
References:
Carrera, P. M., Kantarjian, H. M., & Blinder, V. S. (2018). The financial burden and distress of patients with cancer: Understanding and stepping-up action on the financial toxicity of cancer treatment. CA: a cancer journal for clinicians, 68(2), 153–165. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21443
Abrams, H. R., Durbin, S., Huang, C. X., Johnson, S. F., Nayak, R. K., Zahner, G. J., & Peppercorn, J. (2021). Financial toxicity in cancer care: origins, impact, and solutions. Translational behavioral medicine, 11(11), 2043–2054. https://doi.org/10.1093/tbm/ibab091
Sigma Membership
Lambda Beta at-Large
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Qualitative Research
Keywords:
Health Equity or Social Determinants of Health, Cancer Financial Impact, Cancer Treatment
Recommended Citation
Chung, Chu Hua; Lee, Shiuyu Katie C.; Lai, Chun-Liang; Lu, Yen-Shen; and Lo, Chiao, "Experience of Managing Financial Impact of Cancer and Cancer Treatment" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 252.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/presentations_2025/252
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Experience of Managing Financial Impact of Cancer and Cancer Treatment
Seattle, Washington, USA
Background: Not all of cancer treatment will be covered by health insurance, even in the country providing public coverage, such as in Taiwan. Treatment costs, medical necessity, and care processes may impose a significant financial and emotional burden on patients and their families, especially facing with diverse coverage of national or commercial health insurance for new cancer drugs or systemic treatments. Financial burdens may involve absences from work, and hidden costs related to the alteration of family roles. That's how to manage the burden remains to be uncovered for further development of supportive care.
Purpose: This study aimed to describe the experience of managing financial burden in cancer patients and family. Lung or breast cancer survivors and family who are susceptible to confront for managing finance or dealing with social function were invited, such as those with advanced or recurred cancer, being recommended for self-paid systemic treatment in Taiwan.
Methods: The qualitative inquiry applied audio-recorded, open-ended interviews on a purposive sample of 19 survivors or families with advanced stage, recurred lung or breast cancer, or who received systemic cancer treatment. Data were transcribed and analyzed by constant comparison.
Findings: Experience of managing financial impact from cancer treatment characterizes being distressed by medical and related costs, constrained work and daily activities, disruptions in family dynamics, and uncertainty of treatment outcome. Participants also encountered difficulties in managing the constraints of insurance coverage and making challenging financial decisions for treatment. Managing strategies included exploiting medical and social support services, increasing information for informed decision-making, financial planning, modifying daily routines, depending on familial support, and seeking emotional and spiritual support.
Discussion and Implications: This study addressing psychosocial and economic aspects emphasizes the diverse effects of cancer and cancer treatment on patients and families, and emphasizing the necessity of integrated support networks for coping with these challenges.
Description
Cancer treatment imposes significant financial and emotional burdens on patients and families, results in high out-of-pocket expenses, work absences, and changes in family roles. This study of lung and breast cancer patients highlights stress from medical costs, lifestyle disruptions, and uncertainties. Coping strategies include family support, medical and social resources, financial planning, and routine adjustments, emphasizing the need for comprehensive support networks.