Impact of recurrence on employment, finances, and productivity for early-stage cancer patients and caregivers: US survey

Background Following an early-stage cancer diagnosis, recurrences can occur. To quantify financial impacts of a first recurrence, we surveyed patients and caregivers.Methods The survey was self-administered online to patients (N = 202) with early-stage bladder, gastric, head and neck, melanoma, non–small cell lung, renal cell, and triple-negative breast cancers that recurred and caregivers (N = 100) of such patients. Work productivity and financial impacts were explored.Results Negative impacts on work productivity, employment, finances, and healthcare resource use were identified, with significant differences seen across cancer types, between locoregional and distant/metastatic recurrences, and from pre-recurrence to post-recurrence.Conclusions The financial burden to patients, caregivers, healthcare systems, and society following early-stage cancer recurrence is substantial. Treatments that decrease recurrences can reduce this burden.