The Growing Financial Burden on Patients and Caregivers in Cancer Care

As the cost of cancer treatment continues to rise, patients and their caregivers are facing increasing financial strain—often referred to as financial toxicity. This concept, one that was once rarely discussed, is now recognized as a critical component of the overall cancer care experience.

Nini Wu, MD, MBA, chief medical and development officer of Navista, a Cardinal Health company, emphasizes that while the clinical aspect of a cancer diagnosis is daunting, the financial realities can be equally overwhelming.

“Right about 10 years ago, I do not think most of us were thinking about that burden on the patient... but the clarity around financial toxicity and the increasing number of studies focusing on that topic for patients and their families is becoming more and more important,” Wu explains.

Patients entering the healthcare system often do so with limited understanding of the complexities involved—not just medically, but financially. They are frequently unprepared for the costs associated with treatment, from medications and procedures to uncovered services such as transportation, behavioral health, or home care. Caregivers, too, face disruptions—lost wages, increased expenses, and emotional stress.

Wu points out that even those with more financial resources are not immune: “It is an underlying stress, and studies are showing that this does impact the outcome.”

Crucially, many patients and families do not know how to ask for help. This reality underscores the urgent need for practices to proactively engage with patients around financial concerns as part of comprehensive, compassionate cancer care.

“When you think about the average patient, they are not usually finance experts. Sometimes, for those who really cannot afford it or cannot find the support, they're making really difficult decisions—choosing, perhaps, not to optimize their care. Maybe they just can't make that choice. And what's happening is that they are looking for support. They are looking for assistance,” Wu adds.