Booklet helps cancer patients navigate costly care
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The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has released a guide to help cancer patients and their doctors communicate more effectively about the costs associated with their treatment and care.
The booklet, available online at http://www.cancer.net/managingcostofcare, provides a summary of the costs associated with treatment and a list of financial resources for patients who need help paying for their treatment and care.
According to ASCO, the cost of treating cancer is increasing at a rate of 15 percent per year—nearly three times the rate of increase of overall health care costs in the country. The latest cancer drugs often cost thousands of dollars per month, putting a strain on many families’ finances, the agency notes.
A report issued last week at a conference sponsored by the American Association for Cancer Research found that even with health insurance, more than one million cancer survivors living in the United States report that they forgo needed medical care because of concerns about cost.
“Our goal as doctors,” ASCO president Dr. Richard L. Schilsky noted in a statement, “is to provide our patients with the best medicine possible based on the best science available, but the cost of care is starting to creep into the exam room and affect the treatment decisions we make for our patients.”
“Helping doctors and their patients navigate the difficult and often emotional issues surrounding the cost of cancer care is a top priority for ASCO,” Schilsky said.
The patient guide includes a list of cost-related questions that cancer patients can ask their doctors, like how much medication and treatment, office visits, and associated expenses such as transportation, other living expenses and long-term care will cost.
The booklet also contains information on resources for patients who have employment or health insurance problems related to their cancer care; tips for organizing bills and expenses related to care; a list of financial resources available to cancer patients; and a glossary of cancer treatment and financial terms.
“Understanding what costs to expect before starting treatment can help patients manage the financial impact of cancer in the most effective way possible,” Schilsky said.
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)
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