Financial Toxicity Among Patients in Phase I Clinical Trials

Overview

About this study

As medical care in the United States becomes increasingly expensive, cost stewardship is a necessary component of delivering high value care. Cancer patients require additional protection from unmanageable costs, as the average out of pocket (OOP) cost during the first month of diagnosis is as high as $2900. Financial toxicity (FT) describes the adverse impact that the cost of treatment imposes upon our patients. Over the last five years, FT has become a well-recognized adverse impact of a cancer diagnosis. FT not only decreases the patient's quality of life, but also  patients who file bankruptcy during cancer treatment are 80% more likely to die of their disease.

Through the use of semi-structured interviews with patients, the primary aim of this study is to describe in the patient’s own language the symptoms of financial toxicity (FT) suffered amongst participants of phase I clinical trials.

Participation eligibility

Participant eligibility includes age, gender, type and stage of disease, and previous treatments or health concerns. Guidelines differ from study to study, and identify who can or cannot participate. There is no guarantee that every individual who qualifies and wants to participate in a trial will be enrolled. Contact the study team to discuss study eligibility and potential participation.

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Greater than or equal to 18 years of age.
  • Diagnosis of a solid tumor malignancy.
  • Enrollment and participation in a phase I clinical trial at the Mayo Clinic Early Cancer Therapeutics Clinic for at least 2 month.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Enrollment in a phase I clinical trial for a hematologic malignancy.
  • Inability to speak English.

Participating Mayo Clinic locations

Study statuses change often. Please contact the study team for the most up-to-date information regarding possible participation.

Mayo Clinic Location Status Contact

Rochester, Minn.

Mayo Clinic principal investigator

Erin DeMartino, M.D.

Closed for enrollment

Contact information:

Colt Williams M.D.

Williams.Colt@mayo.edu

More information

Publications

Publications are currently not available

Additional contact information

Cancer-related trials contact form

Phone: 855-776-0015 (toll-free)

International patient clinical studies questions