Financial toxicity following surgical treatment for colorectal cancer: a cross-sectional study

PURPOSE: Financial toxicity has become a global public health issue. The purpose of the study is to investigate and analyze the influencing factors of financial toxicity in patients with non-metastatic colorectal cancer. METHODS: A convenient sample of 250 patients with stage I-III colorectal cancer was investigated in the study. They completed a set of questionnaires, including the Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity questionnaire, the Perceived Social Support Scale, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Univariate and multivariate linear regression were performed to investigate the influencing factors of financial toxicity. RESULTS: Over half (52.8%, n = 132) of the colorectal cancer survivors experienced financial toxicity. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the factors associated with financial toxicity were young age, unemployment, low annual household income, chemotherapy, and the lack of sufficient social support (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Financial toxicity is common among non-metastatic colorectal cancer survivors. Young age, lower annual household income, unemployment, chemotherapy, and insufficient social support were associated with financial toxicity.