Economic Impact of Cancer Diagnosis on Cancer Survivors: A survey of Colorectal, Breast and Prostate Cancer Survivors

Abstract

Purpose: We investigated the economic impacts of breast, prostate and colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis on patients and compared them by cancer site. Methods: A self-administered survey was mailed to all 18 to 62 years old Manitobans with a history of non-metastic breast, prostate or CRC diagnosis within the prior one to three years. Cancer information was obtained from the provincial population-based Manitoba Cancer Registry. Fisher exact test was used to compare frequencies. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine independent predictors. Results: 704 (56%) returned the questionnaire of which 547 met the analysis inclusion criteria (employment at time of cancer diagnosis). One to three years after cancer diagnosis, there was a 4 to 9% increase in the number of cancer survivors earning less than $20,000 annually. There was a 13% (prostate), 23% (CRC) and 25% (breast) decrease in the number of survivors employed full-time. The most frequent financial consequence of a cancer diagnosis was using either registered retirement savings and/or other type of savings/investments (breast cancer: 38%, CRC: 35%, prostate cancer: 33%). Overall, 80% of survivors were able to return to the same number of hours worked pre cancer diagnosis. Conclusions: This study suggests that although most recently diagnosed non-metastatic cancer survivors are able to return to work, one fifth to one fourth are impacted adversely, even long term. The one to three year economic impact of cancer diagnosis varies among the most common cancer types, with prostate cancer survivors being the least affected. Implications: There is a need to identify and appraise effective strategies for restoring productive capabilities for cancer survivors currently unable to return to work but interested in doing so.