Financial Toxicity in Long-term Breast Cancer Survivors Across Age, Stage, and Socioeconomic Background

Purpose of review: Due to medical advances, > 90% of patients with breast cancer are alive five years after diagnosis. Although patients benefit from prolonged survivorship, treatment costs can linger, and new costs can arise. Here, we discuss factors that contribute to financial toxicity in survivorship (including factors unique to breast cancer) to highlight the durable financial burden of cancer. Recent findings: Breast cancer survivors experience financial toxicity across all ages, stages, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Those with a history of metastatic disease, of younger age, or with complex social situations, such as being a caregiver or in a single-income household, are at increased risk. Financial toxicity may be related to missed/loss work, insurance issues, and follow-up costs. Summary: Financial toxicity can last long into breast cancer survivorship. Further work is needed to develop, evaluate, and implement multilevel and collaborative interventions.