Background

Cancer and its treatments can result in substantial financial burden that may be especially distressing for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) since they are at a developmental stage focused on completing one’s education and establishing independence. The purpose of this study was to develop a conceptual model of financial burden among AYA cancer patients to inform development of a financial burden measure.

Methods

In-depth concept elicitation interviews were conducted with a purposive-selected stakeholder sample (36 AYAs and 36 AYA oncology healthcare providers). The constant comparative method was used to identify themes that illustrate AYAs’ experience of financial burden by stakeholder groups.

Results

Eleven financial burden themes emerged: (1) impact of socioeconomic status and age; (2) significant cancer costs; (3) indirect cost “ripple effects”; (4) limited awareness of costs (adolescents); (5) emotional impact; (6) feeling overwhelmed navigating the health care system; (7) treatment decision modifications; (8) reducing spending; (9) coping strategies; (10) financial support; and (11) long-lasting impact. The conceptual model highlights the importance of material, psychosocial, and behavioral domains of financial burden with an emphasis on phase along the cancer continuum and developmental stage in the experience of financial burden for AYAs.

Conclusions

Issues presented in the voice of AYA patients and providers highlight the profound impact of financial burden in this survivor group. The next step in this work will be to develop and test a patient-reported measure of financial burden among AYA cancer survivors.

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