Prostate cancer patients' out-of-pocket travel and drug costs

Housser, Emma M. (2010) Prostate cancer patients' out-of-pocket travel and drug costs. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (4MB)

Abstract

Introduction - How much do prostate cancer patients pay out of pocket for cancer care and how do they manage these costs? To examine: -- 1) out-of-pocket costs for drugs and travel -- 2) the use of cost management strategies -- 3) differences in out-of-pocket drug costs and use of cost reduction strategies between urban and rural patients. -- Methods- Using a self-administered questionnaire, we surveyed 170 men with prostate cancer in NL. -- Conclusion - A small but substantial proportion of men with prostate cancer had substantial costs. Almost 1 in 5 men (18.8%) paid more than $500 in the last quarter. For roughly 1 in 6, these OOP costs accounted for more than 7.5% of their quarterly income. Aside from higher stress related to OOP costs, there were few other differences in the use of cost saving strategies, quality of life or attitudes of urban and rural men.

Actions (login required)

View Item