"It still affects our economic situation": long-term economic burden of breast cancer and lymphedema.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Financial toxicity after breast cancer may be exacerbated by adverse treatment effects, like breast cancer-related lymphedema. As the first study of long-term out-of-pocket costs for breast cancer survivors in the USA with lymphedema, this mixed methods study compares out-of-pocket costs for breast cancer survivors with and without lymphedema.

Methods

In 2015, 129 breast cancer survivors from Pennsylvania and New Jersey completed surveys on demographics, economically burdensome events since cancer diagnosis, cancer treatment factors, insurance, and comorbidities; and prospective monthly out-of-pocket cost diaries over 12 months. Forty participants completed in-person semi-structured interviews. GLM regression predicted annual dollar amount estimates.

Results

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SUBMITTER: Dean LT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6379148 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature