Financial toxicity (FT) is a notable issue for breast cancer patients worldwide. However, the status of FT in Japan has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we investigated FT in Japanese breast cancer patients and presented an overview of the findings of the entire group study.
Methods: The survey was conducted using the Questant application and targeted mainly breast cancer patients attending research facilities and physicians who are members of the Japan Breast Cancer Society. The Japanese version of the comprehensive 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 associated with FT in Japanese breast cancer patients and evaluate the level of information support level (ISL) regarding medical expenses. All analyses 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 doctors. The most influential factor affecting FT was recent payment, followed by disease stage and related medical departments, 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 found in the perception of information support between patients and doctors, with patients often feeling unsupported and doctors believing they provided sufficient support. Furthermore, differences were found in the frequency of explanations about medical expenses and opportunities to ask questions depending on the toxicity grade of FT. It was also shown that doctors who better understood the need for information support and had more knowledge about medical expenses tended to provide more comprehensive support.
[Conclusion] This study highlighted the importance of responding to FT among Japanese breast cancer patients and clarified the need for improved information support, understanding among physicians, and cooperation among experts in order to reduce the economic burden and provide personalized support tailored to individual needs.
Keywords: economic burden, breast tumors, access to medical services, multivariate analysis, Japan Breast Cancer Society research
