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A theoretical model of financial burden after cancer diagnosis

    Salene MW Jones

    *Author for correspondence: Tel.: +1 206 667 6976;

    E-mail Address: smjones3@fredhutch.org

    Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, King County, Washington 98109, USA

    ,
    Nora B Henrikson

    Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Seattle, King County, Washington 98101, USA

    ,
    Laura Panattoni

    Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, King County, Washington 98109, USA

    ,
    Karen L Syrjala

    Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, King County, Washington 98109, USA

    &
    Veena Shankaran

    Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, King County, Washington 98109, USA

    Published Online:https://doi.org/10.2217/fon-2020-0547

    Current models of financial burden after cancer do not adequately define types of financial burden, moderators or causes. We propose a new theoretical model to address these gaps. This model delineates the components of financial burden as material and psychological as well as healthcare-specific (affording treatment) versus general (affording necessities). Psychological financial burden is further divided into worry about future costs and rumination about past and current financial burden. The model hypothesizes costs and employment changes as causes, and moderators include precancer socioeconomic status and post-diagnosis factors. The model outlines outcomes affected by financial burden, including depression and mortality. Theoretically derived measures of financial burden, interventions and policy changes to address the causes of financial burden in cancer are needed.

    Graphical abstract

    Papers of special note have been highlighted as: •• of considerable interest

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