Level: Intermediate
【Presenter】
Cancer Research Foundation Ariake Hospital Breast Center Sumito Saeki
[Presentation summary]
BACKGROUND: Financial toxicity (FT) is a noteworthy issue for breast cancer patients worldwide. However, the situation of FT in Japan has not been sufficiently investigated. In this study, we investigated FT in Japanese breast cancer patients and presented a summary of the findings of the entire group study.
[Method] The survey was conducted using the Questant application, and targeted mainly breast cancer patients attending research facilities and physicians who are members of the Japanese Breast Cancer Society. The Japanese version of the omprehensive Score for FT (COST) was used to quantify patients' FT. Questionnaire items were organized using principal component analysis, and multiple regression analysis was used to identify factors related to FT in Japanese breast cancer patients and evaluate the level of information support level (ISL) regarding medical costs. All analyzes were performed using JMP® 17.0.0 (SAS Institute Inc.; Cary; NC; USA).
[Results] We received 1,558 responses from patients and 825 responses from physicians. Among the factors influencing FT, recent payments had the greatest impact, followed by disease stage and related medical department, which had a positive impact on FT. Conversely, factors such as income, age, and family support were found to have a negative impact on FT. Significant differences were identified between patients and physicians in their perceptions of informational support, with patients often feeling unsupported and believing that physicians provided sufficient support. Furthermore, there were differences in the frequency of explanations and opportunities to ask questions regarding medical costs depending on the toxicity grade of FT. It was also shown that physicians with a better understanding of the need for informational support and greater knowledge of medical costs were more likely to provide comprehensive support.
[Conclusion] This study emphasizes the importance of responding to FT in Japanese breast cancer patients, and aims to improve information support, reduce financial burden, and provide personalized support tailored to individual needs. It clarified the need for understanding among doctors and cooperation among experts.
[Keywords] Economic burden, breast tumors, ease of use of medical services, multivariate analysis, Japanese Breast Cancer Society group research
[Presenter profile]
Breast surgeon. Cancer researcher. We conduct research using clinical specimens and patient-derived organoids, inflammatory breast cancer research, stratification of metastatic/recurrent breast cancer cases based on various clinical information, medical economics, and breast cancer imaging diagnosis. Graduated from Tohoku University School of Medicine in 2014. Graduated from the same graduate school (collaborative) doctoral program in 2023. In 2018, she was a resident at the Breast Center of Cancer Institute Ariake Hospital, and since 2019 she has been participating in the Cancer Epigenome Project of the Cancer Research Society. After constructing an organoid culture platform using clinical specimens from breast cancer patients, we began research aimed at elucidating the pathology of inflammatory breast cancer while examining the intratumoral heterogeneity of patient-derived organoids. We are conducting research using structural equation models with the aim of elucidating the pathogenesis of metastatic breast cancer by organ. In addition to the basics, he was selected for the 2019 Breast Cancer Society research group ``Study on awareness of the economic burden of breast cancer treatment in Japan'' and conducted research on economic toxicity in breast cancer treatment. As a doctor, while managing the diagnostic imaging system, I am conducting research on the theme of how molecular biological characteristics create differences in phenotype and how these can be recognized as image patterns.
