Quantifying and addressing self-defined needs in cancer patients Journal Article
| Authors: | Isabelle Choi, J.; Simone, C. B. 2nd; Mehta, M. P.; Chhabra, A. M.; Hasan, S.; Hall, M. D.; Caraway, V.; Mahadevan, R.; Khuntia, S. |
| Article Title: | Quantifying and addressing self-defined needs in cancer patients |
| Abstract: | Purpose: Almost half of cancer patients will deplete their life savings within the first 2 years of treatment, and one-quarter will declare bankruptcy or lose their home, underscoring the substantial financial toxicity of cancer and need to develop innovative solutions. In this analysis, the financial and non-financial needs articulated by an ethnically diverse cancer patient cohort through a novel, patient-driven portal are quantified, with patient-specific factors and correlations with unique needs further examined. Methods: This is a retrospective evaluation of oncology patients at two tertiary care cancer treatment centers in New York and Florida who enrolled on the “We’re in This Together” (WiTT) Support RegistryTM from 01/2023 to 12/2023 to request assistance across four primary domains (Daily Life, Housing, Health, Transportation). Basic and partial Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) data were collected and analyzed. Results: Of 223 oncology patients who enrolled on the platform, one-half (49%) were 41–60 years old; 65% female, and 54% Hispanic. Within 12 months, 2,411 patient asks (10.8/patient on average) were made. The majority of asks were financial (95%); distribution by domain was 33% Housing, 31% Daily Life, 18% Health, and 18% Transportation. The total “ask” was $1,320,454, averaging $5,921 per patient. Distribution of asks across domains and amounts varied by cancer type, patient age, ethnicity, and sex. Conclusions: This novel platform may allow for more effective and customized resource allocation for oncology patients based on self-reported needs. Further research will be required to anticipate needs based on unique characteristics and to develop solutions that better address these current gaps. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved. |
| Keywords: | adult; controlled study; aged; middle aged; retrospective studies; young adult; major clinical study; cancer patient; neoplasm; neoplasms; breast cancer; cohort analysis; psychology; lung cancer; retrospective study; cancer therapy; economics; electronic medical record; head and neck cancer; cancer registry; brain cancer; new york; needs assessment; ethnicity; therapy; access; florida; disparities; needs; social media; humans; human; male; female; article; social determinants of health; human needs; financial toxicity; financial burden; cost of cancer; malignant neoplasm; financial distress; digital health technology; pediatric patient; socioeconomic background |
| Journal Title: | Supportive Care in Cancer |
| Volume: | 33 |
| Issue: | 8 |
| ISSN: | 0941-4355 |
| Publisher: | Springer Verlag |
| Date Published: | 2025-08-01 |
| Start Page: | 738 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s00520-025-09781-3 |
| PUBMED: | 40748391 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | Article -- MSK Cancer Center Support Grant (P30 CA008748) acknowledged in PubMed and PDF -- MSK corresponding author is J. Isabelle Choi -- Source: Scopus |
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