Out-of-pocket (OOP) costs incurred by breast cancer patients in Poland

Abstract

Introduction. Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignant tumor in women worldwide, the treatment of which, despite being financed by public systems, generates significant costs borne directly by patients. Aim: The study aimed to analyze out-of-pocket (OOP) costs incurred by breast cancer patients in Poland, identify the main categories of expenses, and assess their impact on patients’ financial situation. Material and methods. A survey was conducted on a group of 106 women with breast cancer, using a questionnaire containing questions about the demographic situation and treatment costs. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 26. Results. As many as 90.6% of respondents declared incurring additional treatment costs, mainly related to travel, dietary supplements, private consultations, and diagnostics. The average annual expenditure on private consultations amounted to PLN 1,137.36 (EUR 264.50), and the monthly costs of prescription drugs were PLN 193.25 (EUR 44.94). More than half of the patients also incurred costs related to rehabilitation, a specialist diet, and medical equipment. Conclusions. Breast cancer treatment in Poland is associated with a significant financial burden for patients. This indicates the need to develop systemic support mechanisms and expand the scope of reimbursement, which can improve the quality of life of patients and access to comprehensive oncological care.