Abstract
The aim of this cross-sectional survey was to ask patients about the financial burden
of having head and neck cancer, and to explore its relation with health-related quality
of life (HRQoL). In the Mersey region 447/752 eligible patients (59%) responded to
the questionnaire. There was no obvious response bias. The most notable financial
costs of head and neck cancer that were a moderate or large burden to patients were
petrol (25%, 112), home heating (24%, 108), change in the type of food (21%, 95),
and loss of earnings (20%, 88). During the previous week 15% (63/423) had lost a moderate
or large amount of income because of their medical condition. In terms of taking care
of their financial needs, 10% (40) were moderately dissatisfied and 15% (61) very
dissatisfied. Patients with worse physical and social emotional functioning experienced
more notable financial burden, more difficult life circumstances in the past month
and greater financial difficulty and loss in income due to their condition in the
previous week, more dissatisfaction with how well they took care of their own financial
needs and were more likely to have sought statutory benefits. Cancer of the head and
neck has a serious impact on financial aspects of patients’ lives and seems to be
associated with a poor HRQoL. Multidisciplinary teams can do much more to address
the cost of having treatment by recognising need earlier, and giving advice and access
to appropriate benefits.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 17, 2011
Accepted:
July 29,
2011
Identification
Copyright
© 2011 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
