Mukhtar Dar talks to ecancer about his study "Assessing the reliability and validity of comprehensive score for financial toxicity (COST) among radiation oncology patients in India: A cross-sectional pilot study"

Mr Dar starts by explaining how cancer is a growing cause for concern in India, increasing at an exponential rate, along with the costs of treatment, placing a significant financial burden on patients.

He then goes on to discuss the implications that these financial burdens place upon the patients such as delaying treatments or skipping follow-ups. Research suggests that patients are altering their daily lives to accommodate treatment payment which can lead to poor quality fo life, early mortality and even bankruptcy.

Mr Dar concludes by explaining that more work needs to be done in smaller regions in India but from this study it was found that more than 90% of patients discussed with their respective oncologists about financial issues and more than 80% of them were guided towards one of several government funded schemes to help cover medical costs.

Mr Dar shines a light on the steps taken by the Government of India to help alleviate the financial burden of cancer patients and those of lower socio-economic status.

Read the full article here on ecancermedicalscience.