Abstract PS04-09: Patient-Reported Benefit of Resources Designed to Assist with the Financial Toxicity of Breast Cancer
Authors: Chino Fumiko , Meske Sam , Giaddui Muath , Manasseh Donna-Marie , Thom Bridgette , Weiss Marisa 
Published: May 2024

Background:

A breast cancer (BC) diagnosis can cause financial stress, which may worsen disease outcomes and create financial instability. Tailored interventions are urgently needed, but the patient perspective on the utility of financial resource options is limited.

Methods:

From 6-7/2022, Breastcancer.org community members consented to an online survey in English or Spanish. Eligibility included:US resident, age ³ 18, and BC diagnosis within 10 years. Survey assessed burden of out-of-pocket expenses and perceived benefit of available (1 “Not at all” to 5 “Very much”) and potential (ranked choice) resources.

Results:

1,437 participated. Mean age and time since diagnosis was 46 and 2 years, respectively; 75% were in active treatment for non-metastatic (89%) or metastatic (11%) disease. Patients were 60% White, 27% Hispanic, 8% Black, and 4% other race; 94% were women. 47% had either “significant” or “catastrophic” financial burden due to BC, with higher burdens in those with metastatic disease (61% vs 45%, p&lt; 0.001).

Direct assistance programs (e.g., reduced cost medications, grants, transportation) were rated the most helpful to respondents (Table). A grant list, a provider question checklist, and access to professional advice were most often ranked as 1st choice for potential resources. There were significant differences by race/ethnicity and disease status.

Conclusions:

Almost one-half of surveyed patients had significant financial burden due to BC. Patient-centered solutions to lessen financial burdens and optimize patient outcomes should consider direct assistance and patient education to improve knowledge, communication, and self-advocacy.

How helpful were/are each of these resources in helping you cope with the financial burdens of BC? Overall Mean Disease Status Race/Ethnicity Non-metastatic Metastatic White Black Hispanic Other Patient assistance programs offered by pharma or medical test companies 2.9 2.9 3.1* 2.9* 2.6 3.1* 2.6 (n=1,107) (n=975) (n=132) (n=618) (n=94) (n=357) (n=38) Nonprofits that provide grants to help cover expenses of people with cancer 2.8 2.8 2.7 2.8 2.6 3.1* 2.4 (n=1,113) (n=991) (n=122) (n=611) (n=100) (n=358) (n=44) Financial assistance department at the cancer center or hospital 2.8 2.8 2.7 2.7* 2.7 3.1* 2.2 (n=1,176) (n=1,046) (n=130) (n=669) (n=103) (n=362) (n=42) Coupons and savings cards to reduce the cost of prescription drugs 2.8 2.8 2.7 2.7 2.5 3.0* 2.5 (n=1,140) (n=1,008) (n=132) (n=648) (n=92) (n=358) (n=42) Programs that provide free or low-cost transportation to medical appointments 2.7 2.8* 2.4 2.6 2.5 3.0* 2.3 (n=1,042) (n=934) (n=108) (n=556) (n=93) (n=356) (n=37) Clinical trials 2.7 2.7* 2.5 2.6* 2.3 3.0* 2.1 (n=1,032) (n=928) (n=104) (n=557) (n=84) (n=357) (n=34) Professional medical billing advocates 2.7 2.7* 2.3 2.5* 2.4 3.0* 2.1 (n=1,105) (n=994) (n=111) (n=612) (n=94) (n=358) (n=41) Social worker or case manager 2.7 2.7 2.6 2.6* 2.3 2.9* 2.4 (n=1,146) (n=1,027) (n=119) (n=644) (n=99) (n=360) (n=43) Nonprofits that provide advice and education about financial issues 2.7 2.7 2.5 2.6* 2.3 3.0* 2.0 (n=1,100) (n=983) (n=117) (n=607) (n=96) (n=359) (n=38) Financial navigator 2.6 2.6 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.9* 2.1 (n=1,087) (n=976) (n=111) (n=598) (n=94) (n=356) (n=39) Which of the following programs and resources would have been (or would be) most useful to you in navigating the financial burdens of BC? Total Non-metastatic Metastatic White Black Hispanic Other (n=1,282) (n=155) (n=686) (n=121) (n=384) (n=64) A list of financial grants people diagnosed with BC can apply for 18% 18% 19% 19%* 24%* 14% 25%* A checklist of questions to ask your healthcare team to help you minimize the financial burdens of BC 15% 16% 12% 16% 17% 15% 9% Access to free or reduced-price professionals to help with medical billing, financial, benefits, and/or legal issues 13% 13% 8% 11% 8% 15%* 20%* * p&lt; 0.001

Citation Format: Fumiko Chino, Sam Meske, Muath Giaddui, Donna-Marie Manasseh, Bridgette Thom, Marisa Weiss. Patient-Reported Benefit of Resources Designed to Assist with the Financial Toxicity of Breast Cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PS04-09.