Open AccessThe cost of cancer: a retrospective analysis of the financial impact of cancer on young adults
Author(s) -
Landwehr Michelle S.,
Watson Samantha E.,
Macpherson Catherine F.,
Novak Katherine A.,
Johnson Rebecca H.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
cancer medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.403
H-Index - 53
ISSN - 2045-7634
DOI - 10.1002/cam4.657
Subject(s) - retrospective cohort study , cancer , depression (economics) , medicine , medical expenditure panel survey , descriptive statistics , finance , gerontology , family medicine , health care , demography , economics , health insurance , economic growth , statistics , mathematics , sociology , macroeconomics
Young adult cancer survivors (YAs) are confronted with immense financial challenges in the wake of their treatment. Medical bills and loss of savings may cause YA s to forgo recommended medications or follow‐up appointments. Young survivors with financial concerns also report depression, stress and anxiety. The Samfund is a national nonprofit organization that provides financial support to YA s post‐treatment. To quantify the financial burden of cancer in YA s, a retrospective analysis was performed of data collected from Samfund grant applications of 334 YA cancer survivors. Grants were awarded between 2007 and 2013 and grant recipients were consented electronically in 2014 for retrospective data analysis. Recipients ranged from 19 to 39 years of age at the time of their grant applications. Descriptive statistics were calculated and compared to the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) and U.S. census data on age‐matched peers. Financial indicators of YA cancer survivors are worse in many domains than those of age‐matched controls. Furthermore, YA survivors in their 30s report more perilous prefunding financial situations than younger grant recipients. Cancer has a devastating and age‐specific impact on the finances of YA s. Philanthropic grants from the cancer support community, in conjunction with healthcare policy reforms, have the potential to break the cycle of financial need and help YA s move forward with their lives after cancer treatment.