The socio-demographic factors correlated with financial toxicity among patients with breast cancer in Indonesia

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is one of the major cancer types found among Indonesian women. This cancer diagnosis and its treatment causes perpetual financial burden for the women and their family. This study aims to identify the correlation between socio-demographics with financial toxicity among women with breast cancer in Indonesia. Design and methods: This study design was cross-sectional with 109 respondents of Indonesian breast cancer survivors who were recruited using consecutive sampling. Quantitative data were collected with a demographic and a Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST) questionnaires, then analyzed using Chi-Square test and linear regression method. Results: The majority of the women were 18 to 55-years-old (75.2%), married (91.7%), employed (80.7%), and having moderate income (58.7%). Logistic regression analysis indicates that survivor’s family as a primary wage earner (p=0.042), low-high income (p=0.043), and dependents number (p=0.012) are significantly associated with financial toxicity. Conclusions: The financial toxicity among women with breast cancer was mainly correlated with the number of survivor’s dependent and the household income. This study encourage related parties to establish socio-economic safety net for women with breast cancer, including their families.