Abstract 4015: Mitigating Financial Toxicity b legal and financial navigation for individuals diagnosed with cancer, caregivers, and health care professionals
Authors: Laura Beilke, Melanie Grant
Journal: Cancer Research (2025)

Abstract Background and Purpose: After a cancer diagnosis, individuals are faced with a variety of legal and financial issues that leave individuals diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers with complex questions about insurance coverage, accessing government benefits, and employment. Without accurate information, individuals are unable to make educated decisions, which results in financial consequences, often referred to as financial toxicity. Triage Cancer's Legal &amp; Financial Navigation Program (LFN) offers free expert guidance to individuals coping with cancer, their caregivers, and health care professionals on a wide range of legal and practical issues. The LFN provides the accurate information and resources needed within the patient’s own community to help mitigate financial toxicity. Methods: The LFN provides one-on-one guidance on practical strategies and referral resources that can empower individuals and caregivers facing cancer-related legal and financial challenges. Also, the LFN provides this information to health care professionals to guide their patients through these difficult decisions. Practical strategies are provided to help individuals understand complex legal and financial matters, enabling them to make informed decisions tailored to their unique circumstances. The efficacy of the program is measured through voluntary survey response. Callers receive a follow-up email with a one question survey within a day of the initial call. After three weeks, the caller also receives a detailed survey. Results and Outcomes: In 2023, the LFN had 1, 759 callers from 49 states, the District of Columbia, US territories, and other countries. After the call, individuals are provided with a one question survey asking if they feel better prepared after speaking with Triage Cancer. 95% of respondents say they “feel better prepared” after speaking with Triage Cancer. Callers receive a follow up email with a link to the survey three weeks after our initial email, which includes six follow up questions to measure the efficacy of the program. • 91% of callers strongly agreed or agreed that Triage Cancer answered their questions. • 88% of callers agreed or strongly agreed that they would use the program again in the future. • 88% of callers agreed or strongly agreed that they had actionable next steps. • 90% of callers agreed or strongly agreed that the follow up resources and materials were helpful. • 89% of callers agreed or strongly agreed that they were better prepared. • 85% of callers agreed or strongly agreed that their stress and/or anxiety levels decreased. Conclusions: The LFN provides tailored education around cancer-related legal issues in order to improve the quality of life of individuals coping with cancer. The LFN provides individuals with the knowledge they need to address the practical and financial issues they encounter when faced with a cancer diagnosis. Citation Format: Laura Beilke, Melanie Grant. Mitigating Financial Toxicity b legal and financial navigation for individuals diagnosed with cancer, caregivers, and health care professionals [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 4015.