Financial Toxicity of Cancer in China

Publication date: Available online 17 February 2018 Source:Journal of Cancer Policy Author(s): Tingting Xu, Jing Wu Cancer is not only a medical problem, but also a socio-economical issue as the high prevalence with poor prognosis brings heavy financial burden to the society. From 2005 to 2013, the incidence and mortality rates have sharply increased in China. The most common types of cancer in males in China are lung cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer, colorectal cancer and esophageal cancer while breast cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, and cervical cancer are the major types of cancer among Chinese females. The prognosis for most types of cancer is poor and the treatment costs have been high and hence cancer has caused significant financial burden on patients and negatively impacted their lives. Since the 1970s, Chinese government has been paying attention to cancer burden and applying the nationwide cancer management strategy. Population-based cancer screening, public health education of cancer prevention and treatment on general population, and catastrophic disease medical insurance policy providing additional funding for cancer treatments have been widely implemented in the country. However, cancer in China still imposes the greatest financial burden on the patients, the families, and the society. It is imperative for the Chinese government to develop effective policies to address the financial toxicity of cancer in China.
Source: Journal of Cancer Policy - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research