Kaitlyn N Mahon1, Sheila N Garland2,3, Geoff Eaton4, Karine Chalifour4, Breanna E Lane1, Ken Fowler1, Lynn Gambin5, Luc Clair6. 1. Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science, Memorial University, St. John's, NL, Canada. 2. Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science, Memorial University, St. John's, NL, Canada. sheila.garland@mun.ca. 3. Discipline of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, NL, Canada. sheila.garland@mun.ca. 4. Young Adult Cancer Canada, St. John's, NL, Canada. 5. Department of Economics, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Memorial University, St. John's, NL, Canada. 6. Department of Economics, Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To explore the financial impact of cancer in young adults (YAs) compared to matched non-cancer peers. METHODS: Five hundred seventy-five YAs from the Young Adults with Cancer in their Prime (YACPRIME) study reported on out-of-pocket cancer costs and missed work. YA cancer survivors were compared to matched peers without cancer on key financial indices based on current age (< 35 vs. 35 + years) and time since diagnosis (< 5 vs. 5 + years). Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and prevalence ratios (PR) were used to compare groups on financial variables. RESULTS: Almost 60% of YA survivors spent at least $100/month on cancer-related expenses, and 49% missed at least one year of work. YA survivors were more likely to have outstanding credit card ((< 35 (PR = 1.37, p = 0.001); 35 + (PR = 1.33, p = 0.001)) and line of credit (< 35 (PR = 1.42, p = 0.008); 35 + (PR = 1.27, p = 0.016)) balances. Home ownership was higher among non-cancer peers ((< 35: PR = 1.42, p < 0.001); 35 + (PR = 1.69, p < 0.001); < 5 years (PR = 1.39, p < 0.001); 5 + years (PR = 1.41, p = 0.005)). YA survivors were more likely to not own assets ((< 5 years (PR = 2.25, p < 0.001); 5 + years (PR = 2.25, p = 0.004)). Those diagnosed within 5 years had higher rates of payday loans (PR = 3.91, p = 0.021). CONCLUSION: While exploratory, results suggest that YAs are disadvantaged compared to their peers in type and value of assets owned and debts carried. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Survivorship care plans for YA survivors should include resources to manage the financial impacts of cancer.
PURPOSE: To explore the financial impact of cancer in young adults (YAs) compared to matched non-cancer peers. METHODS: Five hundred seventy-five YAs from the Young Adults with Cancer in their Prime (YACPRIME) study reported on out-of-pocket cancer costs and missed work. YA cancer survivors were compared to matched peers without cancer on key financial indices based on current age (< 35 vs. 35 + years) and time since diagnosis (< 5 vs. 5 + years). Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and prevalence ratios (PR) were used to compare groups on financial variables. RESULTS: Almost 60% of YA survivors spent at least $100/month on cancer-related expenses, and 49% missed at least one year of work. YA survivors were more likely to have outstanding credit card ((< 35 (PR = 1.37, p = 0.001); 35 + (PR = 1.33, p = 0.001)) and line of credit (< 35 (PR = 1.42, p = 0.008); 35 + (PR = 1.27, p = 0.016)) balances. Home ownership was higher among non-cancer peers ((< 35: PR = 1.42, p < 0.001); 35 + (PR = 1.69, p < 0.001); < 5 years (PR = 1.39, p < 0.001); 5 + years (PR = 1.41, p = 0.005)). YA survivors were more likely to not own assets ((< 5 years (PR = 2.25, p < 0.001); 5 + years (PR = 2.25, p = 0.004)). Those diagnosed within 5 years had higher rates of payday loans (PR = 3.91, p = 0.021). CONCLUSION: While exploratory, results suggest that YAs are disadvantaged compared to their peers in type and value of assets owned and debts carried. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Survivorship care plans for YA survivors should include resources to manage the financial impacts of cancer.
Entities:
Keywords:
Cancer; Costs; Financial toxicity; Health expenditures; Young adults
Authors: Jacqueline L Bender; Natasha Puri; Sarah Salih; Norma M D'Agostino; Argerie Tsimicalis; A Fuchsia Howard; Sheila N Garland; Karine Chalifour; Emily K Drake; Anthony Marrato; Nikki L McKean; Abha A Gupta Journal: Curr Oncol Date: 2022-02-16 Impact factor: 3.677