Australian Experiences of Out-of-Pocket Costs and Financial Burden Following a Cancer Diagnosis: A Systematic Review

Annie Bygrave, Kate Whittaker, Christine Paul, Elizabeth A. Fradgley, Megan Varlow and Sanchia Aranda
Additional contact information
Annie Bygrave: Cancer Council Australia, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
Kate Whittaker: Cancer Council Australia, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
Christine Paul: School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
Elizabeth A. Fradgley: School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
Megan Varlow: Cancer Council Australia, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
Sanchia Aranda: Cancer Council Australia, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 5, 1-19

Abstract: (1) Background: This systematic review was conducted to identify cancer patient experiences, and the impact of out-of-pocket costs and financial burden in Australia. (2) Methods: A systematic review, following the Preferring Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, was conducted. Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature and PubMed were searched. The primary outcome was financial burden among cancer patients and their families in Australia. The secondary outcome was out-of-pocket costs associated with cancer care and treatment within the population sample, and the impact of financial burden. (3) Results: Nineteen studies were included, covering more than 70,000 Australians affected by cancer. Out-of-pocket costs varied by cancer type and ranged from an average of AUD 977 for breast cancer and lymphoedema patients to AUD 11,077 for prostate cancer patients. Younger aged patients (?65 years), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people in rural and/or remote areas, households with low income, those who were unemployed and people with private health insurance were at increased risk of experiencing out-of-pocket costs, financial burden or a combination of both. (4) Conclusions: Australians diagnosed with cancer frequently experience financial burden, and the health and financial consequences are significant. Focusing efforts on the costs of care and options about where to have care within the context of informed decisions about cancer care is necessary.

Keywords: financial toxicity; cancer patient; systematic review; Australia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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