Researchers from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) have reported that the time spent by informal caregivers is significant and an important component in the overall burden of cancer care. The details of this study appeared in the September 4, 2009 issue of Cancer.[1]
Informal caregiving is an important part of cancer management. Family and friends spend considerable time taking care of patients with cancer, which often results in lost wages. The recent emphasis on home care rather than hospitalization or nursing home care has increased this burden. However, very little quantitative data is available to measure the magnitude of support given to persons with cancer.
Researchers from the Health Services and Economics Branch, Applied Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences of the NCI have attempted to determine how much care is given and what the economic implications of such care are. Using data from a national survey carried out between 2003 and 2006, they determined the time associated with informal caregiving for patients with bladder, breast, colorectal, kidney, lung, melanoma, ovarian, prostate, and uterine cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). To determine cost estimates, they used a value of $16.28 per hour.
They reported that caregivers provided an average of 8.3 hours of care for 13.7 months. More time was associated with care for persons with distant metastatic disease compared with persons with localized or regional disease. The following were cost estimates for caregivers for various types of cancer over a two-year period after diagnosis:
- Lung Cancer = $72, 702
- Ovarian Cancer = $66,210
- NHL = $59, 613
- Breast Cancer = $38,334
These authors concluded: “Time spent by informal caregivers was substantial and was an important component of the burden of cancer care.” They suggest: “Incorporation of the value of informal caregiver time will be important when evaluating the costs and benefits of cancer control interventions.”
Comments: These are impressive results that emphasize the magnitude of informal caregiving for persons with cancer. The situation is even greater than reported, as many informal caregivers also have been unable to work due to caregiving needs and have lost significant wages.
Reference:
[1] Yabroff KR, Kim Y. Time costs associated with informal caregiving for cancer survivors. Cancer 2009;115:4362-4373.
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