BACKGROUND: Attention to the economic consequences of cancer has grown as the number of cancer survivors is increasing. Although prevalent among low-income minority survivors, the impact of economic stress on quality of life (QOL) remains largely unexplored. METHODS: Data are reported for 487 predominantly Hispanic low-income women with a primary diagnosis of breast or gynecological cancer and undergoing active treatment or follow-up. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses examined the effects of economic concerns on QOL, depression, and anxiety. RESULTS: Rates of unemployment, medical cost and wage concerns, and financial stress were high in this study population, at baseline, respectively, 70%, 68%, 47%, and 49%. The proportions reporting unemployed status and medical cost concerns stayed flat from baseline to 6 months, followed by a pronounced drop at 12 months. Patient reported rates of lost wage worries increased from baseline to 6 months, followed by a moderate decrease. Functional, emotional, physical, and social-family well-being and depression and anxiety scores exhibited consistent linear improvement from baseline to 12 months. Over 12 months, patients reporting economic concerns had significantly poorer functional, emotional, and affective well-being. CONCLUSIONS: Economic stress is negatively associated with QOL, highlighting the importance of addressing economic stress in low-income women with cancer.
BACKGROUND: Attention to the economic consequences of cancer has grown as the number of cancer survivors is increasing. Although prevalent among low-income minority survivors, the impact of economic stress on quality of life (QOL) remains largely unexplored. METHODS: Data are reported for 487 predominantly Hispanic low-income women with a primary diagnosis of breast or gynecological cancer and undergoing active treatment or follow-up. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses examined the effects of economic concerns on QOL, depression, and anxiety. RESULTS: Rates of unemployment, medical cost and wage concerns, and financial stress were high in this study population, at baseline, respectively, 70%, 68%, 47%, and 49%. The proportions reporting unemployed status and medical cost concerns stayed flat from baseline to 6 months, followed by a pronounced drop at 12 months. Patient reported rates of lost wage worries increased from baseline to 6 months, followed by a moderate decrease. Functional, emotional, physical, and social-family well-being and depression and anxiety scores exhibited consistent linear improvement from baseline to 12 months. Over 12 months, patients reporting economic concerns had significantly poorer functional, emotional, and affective well-being. CONCLUSIONS: Economic stress is negatively associated with QOL, highlighting the importance of addressing economic stress in low-income women with cancer.
Authors: Judith S Kaur; Kathryn Coe; Julia Rowland; Kathryn L Braun; Francisco A Conde; Linda Burhansstipanov; Sue Heiney; Marjorie Kagawa-Singer; Qian Lu; Catherine Witte Journal: Cancer Date: 2012-03-20 Impact factor: 6.860
Authors: D Howell; T F Hack; T K Oliver; T Chulak; S Mayo; M Aubin; M Chasen; C C Earle; A J Friedman; E Green; G W Jones; J M Jones; M Parkinson; N Payeur; C M Sabiston; S Sinclair Journal: J Cancer Surviv Date: 2012-07-10 Impact factor: 4.442
Authors: Theresa A Hastert; Jaclyn M Kyko; Amanda R Reed; Felicity W K Harper; Jennifer L Beebe-Dimmer; Tara E Baird; Ann G Schwartz Journal: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev Date: 2019-05-06 Impact factor: 4.254
Authors: Kathleen Ell; Bin Xie; Brenda Quon; David I Quinn; Megan Dwight-Johnson; Pey-Jiuan Lee Journal: J Clin Oncol Date: 2008-09-20 Impact factor: 44.544
Authors: Susan K Lutgendorf; George M Slavich; Koenraad Degeest; Michael Goodheart; David Bender; Premal H Thaker; Frank Penedo; Bridget Zimmerman; Joseph Lucci; Luis Mendez; Katherine Collins; Anil K Sood Journal: Gynecol Oncol Date: 2013-10-03 Impact factor: 5.482
Authors: Patricia I Jewett; Deanna Teoh; Sue Petzel; Heewon Lee; Audrey Messelt; Jeffrey Kendall; Dorothy Hatsukami; Susan A Everson-Rose; Anne H Blaes; Rachel I Vogel Journal: JCO Oncol Pract Date: 2020-02-24