Breast Cancer Patients Struggle to Afford Treatment
Breast cancer patients and their families are facing financial difficulties when it comes to funding the costs of therapy. A study conducted at a renowned breast cancer hospital revealed that over three quarters of families with breast cancer patients had to resort to borrowing money or selling assets in order to afford treatment. The researchers analyzed data collected from individual patients to arrive at this conclusion.
The study tracked 500 breast cancer patients who received treatment at the Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) in Mumbai between June 2019 and March 2022. The findings showed that 84.2% of households faced catastrophic health expenses. This means that the amount of money they spent on their monthly consumption was significantly impacted, forcing them to make significant adjustments to accommodate their new circumstances.
The study also predicted that 72% of households would resort to “distress financing,” which involves selling assets or taking out loans to meet the financial commitments associated with mental health care. To address this issue, the researchers suggested including direct non-medical costs, such as transportation, meals, and lodging, in the scope of reimbursement for breast cancer treatment. This could potentially reduce catastrophic health expenditures.
In addition to this, the study recommended the development of specialized cancer care clinics that cater to the specific needs of the community. By providing tailored services, these clinics can better support patients and their families throughout their treatment journey.
It is estimated that around 75% of patients will have some form of payment coverage for their treatment. This can come in the form of breast cancer health insurance offered by corporations or financial support provided by charities. However, despite these efforts, the study found that only 13.8% of situations involving catastrophic health costs were reduced.
Furthermore, the study revealed that 78% of patients had to seek therapy from various sources to cover the expenses. Only 5.8% relied on their income as a source of funding, while 58% used their savings. Additionally, 66% resorted to loans and borrowings, and 72% either sold assets or borrowed money to cover the expenditures.
In conclusion, the study highlights the financial challenges faced by breast cancer patients and their families. By addressing the non-medical costs associated with treatment and providing specialized care clinics, it is hoped that the burden on patients can be reduced.