Financial XXXX of Cancer Care: It's Time to Intervene.

@entity5 @entity1 @entity137 @entity147
UNASSIGNED: Evidence suggests that a considerably large proportion of @entity5 @entity1 are affected by treatment-related financial harm. As medical debt grows for some with @entity5 , the downstream effects can be catastrophic, with a recent study suggesting a link between extreme financial @entity147 and worse mortality. At least three factors might explain the relationship between extreme financial @entity147 and greater risk of mortality: 1) overall poorer well-being, 2) impaired health-related quality of life, and 3) sub-par quality of care. While research has described the financial harm associated with @entity5 treatment, little has been done to effectively intervene on the problem. Long-term solutions must focus on policy changes to reduce unsustainable drug prices and promote innovative insurance models. In the mean time, @entity1 continue to struggle with high out-of-pocket costs. For more immediate solutions, we should look to the oncologist and @entity1 . Oncologists should focus on the value of care delivered, encourage @entity1 engagement on the topic of costs, and be better educated on financial resources available to @entity1 . For their part, @entity1 need improved cost-related health literacy so they are aware of potential costs and resources, and research should focus on how @entity1 define high-value care. With a growing list of financial side effects induced by @entity5 treatment, the time has come to intervene on the "financial @entity137 " of @entity5 care.
