Background: Cancer treatment often results in significant financial burdens for patients and their families. This burden stems from direct costs of treatment including hospital stays, consultant/GP costs, medication costs, loss of earnings and out of pocket expenses including parking, food and household bills.
Methods: A thorough review of the literature in relation to financial toxicities in patients with head and neck cancer was completed. Literature from the oncological societies and cancer charities was also reviewed.
Results: The literature suggests a higher prevalence of financial toxicity amongst patients affected by head and neck cancer. Treatment induced disability relating to delays in return-to-work post treatment is considered a significant contributor to this financial burden. From an Irish perspective the average reduction in income of cancer patients was estimated to be E1,527 per month. Suggested productivity losses of E222,000 per person associated with temporary and permanent absence from work following a head and neck cancer.
Conclusion: Treatment induced disability resulting in financial toxicity must be considered for all patients however it is proving to be more prevalent in patients with head and neck cancer. This financial toxicity can affect head and neck cancer patients on a more long-term basis affecting individuals, families and local economy.
Emma Devoy Flood1 , Declan Patton1,2, Rosemarie Derwin1, James Paul O’Neill3,4
1 Department of Nursing & Midwifery, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, Dublin
2 SWaT Research Centre, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, Dublin
3 Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin
4 Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin