Most doctors don’t discuss cancer treatment costs with patients

Most doctors spent fewer than two minutes talking about the cost of treatment with their patients, a new study finds.

While cancer patients are three times more likely to seek bankruptcy protection than healthy people who are not battling the disease, most doctors do not have conversations with their patients about costs. And sometimes the doctors don’t know the costs themselves.

The study, released by the American Society of Clinical Oncology and reported by The Associated Press, taped 529 conversations between doctors and patients at several large hospitals. The patients included those who were newly diagnosed, when cost conversations are most likely to occur, as well as patients who were further along with their treatment.

Discussion of costs came up in 151  visits; with patients raising the issue in 106 cases and doctors in 45.

The “financial toxicity” of treatments that can cost more than $100,000 a year is growing, and talks about that aren’t happening enough, said  Dr. Rahma Warsame of the Mayo Clinic.

The study demonstrates how important it is for consumers to prepare. Cancer.net offers an online guide to help patients understand the issues and talk with their health providers about the cost of care.

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