Living with the financial consequences of cancer: A life course perspective

Abstract

Purpose

Financial hardship can be a major cause of distress among persons with cancer, resulting in chronic stress and impacting physical and emotional health. This paper provides an analysis of the lived experience of cancer patients’ financial hardship from diagnosis to post-treatment.

Methods

In-depth interviews were conducted with 26 cancer survivors who reported financial hardship during and/or after treatment. The interviews were analyzed using Dedoose^TM as an organizational tool, the life course perspective as an organizing theoretical framework, and a thematic analysis tool¹ to answer our research questions. Our analysis identified that timing and sequencing of life transitions and stress proliferation furthered the process of financial stress over time.

Findings

Cancer survivors do not experience financial toxicity as a singular process; the experience can be quite different depending on age and life transitions.

Practice/Policy Implications

These findings provide psychosocial oncology providers with a framework for identifying patients at risk for financial distress and addressing the critical needs related to their life stage.

Keywords:

• cancer
• financial hardship
• financial toxicity
• life course
• qualitative

Notes

*Throughout the article we refer to the objective component of financial toxicity as the financial burden or hardship due to medical costs and the subjective (psychological) component as the financial stress or strain experienced by the patient.