Association of Economic Burden, Impact and Treatment Barriers of Adults Cancer Survivors in Interior British Columbia

Background: Cancer treatment impacts the economic stability and financial burden of adults in interior British Columbia. Objective: The aim is to examine the association of perceived economic burden, impact, and treatment barriers of adult cancer survivors in interior British Columbia. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional research approach was employed, utilizing a Cancer Supportive Care Questionnaire survey (37 items) measuring perceived Economic Burden of Cancer (13 items), Impact of Cancer (13 items), and Cancer Treatment Barriers (11 items). Participants were eligible to participate if they were 18 years and above and had been diagnosed and completed cancer treatment. Results: One hundred fifty-one participants completed the survey questionnaires. Thirty-six percent (36.4%) of the participants reported ‘total or partial work productivity loss days’ being extremely affected, while 29.1% of the participants reported ‘diminished all financial savings’ being extremely affected, and 22.5% of the participants reported being extremely affected by ‘loss of job or employment’. Eighteen percent (18.5%) of the participants reported being extremely affected by ‘return to work’, while 15.2% of the participants reported being extremely affected by ‘financial stability’ and 13.9% of the participants reported ‘quality of life being’ extremely affected. Conclusion: Ethnicity, educational level, and employment status were significant with economic burden, impact of cancer, and treatment barriers, which highlighted the role of socio-economic and financial burden.