[Financial Toxicity and"Support for Balancing Treatment and Work"in Cancer Treatment].

ABSTRACT

Oncologists who are active in the front lines of cancer treatment or academic research in Japan need to acquire basic knowledge and countermeasures regarding financial toxicity(FT). They should evaluate the risk that patients will have an impact on their prognosis and quality of life due to the financial burden associated with cancer treatment. To solve FT, they should(1)make efforts to prevent income loss(, 2)make efforts to reduce spending(, 3)mental support, and(4)provide comprehensive support. At university hospitals/cancer centers and medical research institutes, we should understand that "FT research for cancer treatment"and"Cancer research balancing treatment and employment" are cutting-edge cancer research from the patient's perspective. Long-term discussions with medical economists, policy makers, industry, patient groups, and other stakeholders is mandatory to radically reduce the FT of cancer patients while striving to increase the cure rate of cancer. It is important to develop oncologists and their groups who have knowledge of FT and can take measures to reduce FT by providing guidance to support the balance between treatment and work.