Cost of cancer care: the patient perspective.

The diagnosis of cancer, along with subsequent related care, imposes a number of burdens on patients--physical, emotional, and financial. The financial expenses incurred extend well beyond the cost of medication, surgery, and related treatments. While these important issues warrant attention, patients also need assistance dealing with the indirect costs of cancer care, such as transportation, child care, and lost wages. There is an urgent need to improve the current inconsistent--sometimes nonexistent--methods used to inform patients about costs of cancer care as well as to provide them with appropriate assistance managing the costs and overall burden of cancer. Health care providers, patient advocates, agencies, and insurers have the responsibility and opportunity to provide leadership in this process. Most importantly, limited ability to address any of the expenses brought on by cancer should not prevent any patient from receiving necessary care.