Breast Cancer Survivors Face Significant, Persistent Out-of-Pocket Costs

A new University of Queensland (UQ) study has identified significant and persistent out-of-pocket healthcare costs for breast cancer survivors. The research, led by Dr. Aarushi Dhingra during her PhD at UQ, investigated the financial repercussions of a breast cancer diagnosis.

Dr. Dhingra noted that despite increasing breast cancer survival rates, many individuals face a substantial long-term financial burden. Pharmaceutical costs, including those for hormone therapy or pain and symptom management, can be significant during treatment and continue for years.

"Despite increasing breast cancer survival rates, many individuals face a substantial long-term financial burden."

The Research Approach

The researchers analyzed data from nearly 500 breast cancer survivors participating in the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women’s Health. This data was used to estimate short-term and long-term out-of-pocket expenses specifically for non-hospital services and prescription medication.

Significant Out-of-Pocket Costs Unveiled

Findings revealed average out-of-pocket costs of approximately $250 in the month of diagnosis and $2000 in the year of diagnosis, even with Medicare. This equates to about 5 percent of the average monthly pay for women in Australia, with a higher impact on those working part-time. The study also considered that household income may be reduced during treatment.

Deconstructing the Cost Burdens

Healthcare costs typically began to increase approximately one month before diagnosis and often remained elevated for the first six months of treatment, depending on the type of care and prescriptions.

Immediate cost burdens included non-hospital medical services such as GP visits, specialist consultations, and diagnostic tests. Ongoing financial pressures were attributed to gaps between Medicare rebates and provider fees, medication co-payments, and the cost of allied health services like physiotherapy or psychology.

Broader Implications and Policy Direction

Health economist Professor Brenda Gannon stated that the study contributes to understanding the broader financial impact of a breast cancer diagnosis on survivors.

"The study’s results could assist policymakers in identifying specific cost drivers and developing tailored interventions."

Professor Gannon also emphasized the significance of understanding the impact on the publicly funded healthcare system, particularly in the context of an aging population, the prevalence of age-related diseases, and technological advancements that enhance survival rates. The study's results could assist policymakers in identifying specific cost drivers and developing tailored interventions.

Research Team and Publication

The study was co-authored by Associate Professor Terence Cheng from Monash University, and Professors Luke Connelly and Gita Mishra from UQ. The research was published in the European Journal of Health Economics.