Inter-relationships between the economic and emotional consequences of colorectal cancer for patients and their families: a qualitative study

BMC Gastroenterology

Research Article

Liza Costello¹  Linda Sharp¹  Aileen Timmons¹  Alan Ó Céilleachair²  Claire Finn³  Kanika Kapur⁴  Anthony Staines⁵  Patricia Fitzpatrick⁶ 

[1] National Cancer Registry Ireland, Cork, Ireland;National Cancer Registry Ireland, Cork, Ireland;National Cancer Registry, Building 6800, Cork Airport Business Park, Kinsale Road, Cork, Ireland;National Economic and Social Council, Parnell Square, Dublin 1, Ireland;School of Economics and Geary Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland;School of Nursing, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland;School of Public Health, Physiotherapy & Population Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland;

关键词: Colorectal cancer;    Costs & cost analysis;    Patients;    Caregivers;    Social support;    Employment;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1471-230X-12-62

 received in 2011-06-24, accepted in 2012-06-07,  发布年份 2012

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundWhile the evidence-base concerning the economic impact of cancer for patients and their families/carers has grown in recent years, there is little known about how emotional responses to cancer influence this economic impact. We investigated the economic costs of cancer in the context of patients’ emotions and how these both shaped the patient and family burden.MethodsHealth professionals from six hospitals invited patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (ICD10 C18-C20) within the previous year to take part in the study. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with patients and, where available, a family member. Interviews covered medical and non-medical costs incurred as a result of cancer and the impact of these on the lives of the patient and their family. Interviews were audio-recorded. Recordings were transcribed verbatim and these data were analysed qualitatively using thematic content analysis.ResultsTwenty-two patients with colorectal cancer (17 colon and 5 rectal; 14 women and 8 men) were interviewed; 6 were accompanied by a family member. Important cancer-related financial outlays included: travel and parking associated with hospital appointments; costs of procedures; increased household bills; and new clothing. Cancer impacted on employed individuals’ ability to work and depressed their income. The opportunity cost of informal care for carers/family members, especially immediately post-diagnosis, was a strong theme. All patients spoke of the emotional burden of colorectal cancer and described how this burden could lead to further costs for themselves and their families by limiting work and hindering their ability to efficiently manage their expenses. Some patients also spoke of how economic and emotional burdens could interact with each other. Support from employers, family/carers and the state/health services and patients’ own attitudes influenced this inter-relationship.ConclusionsThe economic impact of colorectal cancer on patients and their families is complex. This study suggests that the economic costs and the emotional impact of cancer are often related and can exacerbate each other, but that various factors can meditate this inter-relationship.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Ó Céilleachair et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2012