# Risk Factors for Financial Toxicity in Patients With Pancreatic Cancer

## TL;DR

This study explores how pancreatic cancer patients in China face financial burdens from treatment costs and identifies factors that increase their economic risk.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific risk factors for financial toxicity among Chinese pancreatic cancer patients and highlights high-risk groups.

## Key findings

- 25.7% of patients changed work status due to cancer diagnosis.
- 29.4% showed treatment nonadherence due to economic reasons.
- Financial toxicity was linked to low household savings and high out-of-pocket costs.

## Abstract

The increasing costs of cancer treatment impose a tremendous economic burden on patients and their families, adversely impacting their quality of life and patients' outcomes. Financial toxicity (FT), as a concept describing the economic burden on patients, is crucial to comprehend the extent and determinants within specific contexts.

To understand the current status of FT among Chinese pancreatic cancer (PC) patients, identify risk factors for FT, and summarize the characteristics of high‐risk groups.

A cross‐sectional study involving 296 PC patients was conducted to investigate their general information, financial toxicity, quality of life, positive and negative affects, and social support. Univariate and multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine the correlation between FT and other variables.

The PC patient's FT score was 54.27 ± 14.50, with 25.7% being forced to change their work status due to the disease diagnosis and 29.4% exhibiting economically related treatment nonadherence behaviors. Factor analysis showed financial toxicity associated with fewer household savings, more total out‐of‐pocket (OOP) costs, treatment nonadherence, unemployment, diminished positive affect, and insufficient social support.

FT was highly prevalent among PC patients and associated with factors such as household savings and total OOP costs. There was a need to identify and manage patients exhibiting high‐risk characteristics and to implement targeted interventions to mitigate their economic burden.