Cost of Cancer is on the Rise

Portions of the following post were pulled from an article on Scientific American online. 

There's been a new report released by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute that says that the cost of cancer care in our country is not going to be decreasing anytime soon. According to the report, published online January 12th, the financial burden of cancer is expected to rise precipitously in the next 10 years—despite decreasing incidence numbers. 

"Rising health-care costs represent a central challenge for both the federal government and the private sector," wrote the study authors, led by Angela Mariotto of the Surveillance Research Program at the National Cancer Institute. Overall 2009 healthcare costs in the U.S. were about $2.5 trillion, and spending is expected to increase to some $4.6 trillion by 2019. Based on Medicare data and other sources, the new analysis shows that in 2010, cancer care for 16 common types of cancers in U.S. women and 13 common types of cancers in U.S. men tallied up to $124.6 billion.

Those are some BIG numbers. And it's not even taking in ALL cancers... only 16 common types.

As you can imagine, Northwest Arkansas is not immune to the effect of rising costs for cancer care. In 2010 Hope Cancer Resources provided services and financial assistance valued at $687,690.00 to 1,489 cancer patients and their families. These were services that would have been paid for out of people's pockets if we were not here to provide them.

Or not...

One of the main reasons we do what we do is because local oncologists were seeing too many of their patients not showing up for appointments or taking the medications that were prescribed for them. Once the physician creates a treatment plan, that patient has to be able to follow that plan in order for the treatment to be successful. If a patient can't pay for gasoline, or loses their car to repossession, all the treatment plans in the world won't help that patient get to their radiation or chemotherapy appointments.

Similarly, if an individualized cocktail of medications is prescribed to manage symptoms and begin fighting the disease, but a patient is forced to choose to pay for those drugs or pay the mortgage - which do you think they will choose? Cancer treatment doesn't have to last more than a few months - it depends on the type and treatment - but sometimes those few months are all it takes to put a family into financial crisis.

That's what we're here for. We provide temporary support to cancer patients and their families during those crucial few months - or longer if that's what it takes - to help them get out of treatment and into the "recovery" stage. At times, there are continued needs from an emotional standpoint, but the financial crisis that can be crippling is usually over by that time, and patients and families are better able to look forward with hope.

We anticipate a growing number of patients needing our services in 2011. Not only because, as the articles predict, the costs will continue to increase, but also because more people are going to be treated in Northwest Arkansas when a new Highlands Oncology Group clinic opens in Rogers. Expanded patient care means expanded expenses. We would love for you to join us in making cancer treatment a little less stressful for your friends and neighbors... Consider making a gift today - it could change someone's life tomorrow.

Economic Impact (Part Two)

Raise your hand if you've heard the term "clinical trials". Okay, now keep your hand up if you aren't really sure what they are or what the purpose of them is. There are a lot of hands still in the air!

There is a lot of talk in journals and on websites that keep up with cancer research that mentions clinical trials. When a patient is starting to head down the road of treatment, it's one of the options that could be presented by their oncologist... but what does it mean to join a trial? Where are they located? And, most important for some patients - how much will it cost?

Clinical trials are available for virtually every type or stage of cancer diagnosis. To be accepted into a trial means that there is active research being conducted on your specific cancer type, stage of development, or treatment plan. Sometimes they are set up to test a new combination of medications, and other times they are more unique, like the one currently being conducted at UAMS where women's tears are being captured and tested for proteins that may point to the development of breast cancer.

Many patients see trials as a "last resort" option, only to be looked into when traditional treatments don't provide the desired recovery results. But more and more cancer clinics are putting together staff who can do the research and management that is necessary to develop and manage top-notch clinical trials program on a local level, providing access from the very beginning of a treatment plan.

At HOPE, Inc. we have a licensed RN on staff who manages twelve clinical trials for the patients referred to us by oncologists at Highland's Oncology Group in Fayetteville and Bentonville. Since these trials are managed and performed here in NW Arkansas, our patients are able to benefit from cutting-edge research and still sleep in their own beds at night.

Not having to travel to a distant medical facility like MD Anderson in Houston or the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota is not only emotionally beneficial for our patients, but it takes a potentially HUGE burden off of their budget. Recently, we calculated the estimated cost of participating in a clinical trial at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas and came up with the following:

Mileage Expenses: $.585 (IRS rate) x 400 miles = $234 x min. of 25 trips = $5,850

Lodging/Meals for a three day stay: $136 (IRS Per Diem Rate) x 75 (3 days per trip) = $10,200

3 days lost wages (24 total hours) = 431.76 x 25 trips = $10,794
(based on average household median income for Arkansas: $37,420 = $17.99 per hour)

Total Annual Expense Per Patient: $26,844

Remember, this is only calculating the costs for a trial conducted three hours away, and doesn't even include the cost to a caregiver for their time off work, food, and lodging on the trip. Then there are the regular medications and treatments and doctors' visits required to maintain the standard of care...

Now you can see what one of our patients meant when she recently told us that her first thought upon receiving her diagnosis of colon cancer was "I can't afford to have cancer."

Help us provide hope for people in Northwest Arkansas living with cancer.
Donate today.

Economic Impact (Part One)

There was an article published in the Northwest Arkansas Times in January of this year that explored the impact of local non-profit organizations on our community's financial outlook. The article focused primarily on how the highlighted agencies contribute to the area's financial stability through payment of salaries and bringing ancillary monies to the community.

HOPE, Inc. doesn't employ dozens of people, nor does it host programs that will attract hundreds of spectators who will feed their families at local restaurants, but as an organization that provides direct financial assistance, we can state without a doubt that our fiscal viability is vital to our community especially in the midst of our country's current economic downturn. Just as we are working harder to secure donations at levels equal to those of past years, the cancer patients we serve need us more than ever before.

Last year we created a report that outlined the amount of value our assistance programs offer to our community, and the numbers were impressive. We found that for fiscal year 2007-2008, the monthly financial impact our programs had on cancer patients living or being treated in northwest Arkansas was $39,720.00.

The total financial impact for the entire fiscal year was $476,640.00.

That is money spent to keep people in their homes, make sure they are able to get to their radiation appointments to maintain the treatment plan set up by their physician, and to help them focus on healing and recovery rather than whether or not they can afford to buy their chemotherapy prescription AND put food on the table for their family.

Travel expenses for those needing treatment out of town are also provided on a case-by-case basis. Notes from patients like this are what it's all about for us:

I want to take this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude for your organization's financial assistance for our son. Your donation of $600 helped us afford to live in an apartment near CARTI in Little Rock. The apartment has been a infinite blessing in the midst of such a painful time for our son. The radiation and chemo treatments that he receives each weekday are very hard on his body. It is comforting to come "home" to our apartment each day and relax in a quiet and peaceful setting. May God richly bless your individual and corporate lives.

You can make a difference in the life of a local cancer patient. Find out more about HOPE, Inc. and donate online at www.hopenwa.org. We are all affected, and we can all share HOPE.

Next time: The cost benefit of providing LOCAL clinical trials to cancer patients.

HOPE loves Highland's Oncology Group!!

We recently conducted an employee campaign with our friends at Highland's Oncology Group, and are thrilled to report that our efforts surpassed our goal! The generous staff there have pledged to give over $21,000 in the coming year to HOPE!! Wow!

Thank you Highland's staff ~ for supporting us every day in the clinics, and for supporting us through 2009 with your wonderful donations!!!

Because of your gifts, we will be able to help hundreds more patients this year!

This wonderful outpouring of support from the Highland's staff underscores the need for more
collaborative work in the field of cancer care. HOPE was created by a group of Highland's physicians and former patients in 2001, and we partner with them to provide a range of services aimed at helping their patients successfully complete their treatments and focus on recovery. The research and the work done by dedicated medical personnel don't have the desired effect if the patients can't afford their prescriptions or fill up their gas tank to get to appointments, or if they are so overwhelmed with fear and depression that they can't follow the treatment plan.

Not only do we provide emergency financial assistance for patients who, as one of our patients put it, "can't afford to have cancer", but we also offer emotional support for those who are struggling to balance family, finances, work, and their diagnosis. Cancer can be overwhelming in the best of situations, but add one more challenge to the mix and, for many, it becomes an obstacle that seems unsurmountable.

Special thanks also goes out to the businesses that donated

prizes we drew for at the end of the week:

Flora

Something Urban

Nightbird Books

The Rabbit's Lair

War Eagle Mill

Mason's Boutique

The Copper Pig

Hiland Dairy

Why we do what we do

All non-profit organizations have a "mission statement". It helps explain their existence and gives the staff and volunteers a sense of purpose in their work. HOPE's mission is unique in that we provide hands-on psychosocial and financial assistance directly to patients in need. Last year, we touched the lives of 73% of the patients estimated to have been diagnosed with cancer in northwest Arkansas. Very often, this mission comes home to us in a very sobering way, not only fueling our determination to reach as many patients as possible, but also reminding us that life and family and security is precious. And for some, fleeting.

On June 9th, 2008 Jessica and our summer intern, Hannah, were told by the nurses at Highlands Oncology Clinic that a walk-in patient was waiting to see a doctor and would probably need assistance. They also informed them that the patient, “Ashley” aged 33 years old, would not need our help long-term because her cancer was everywhere and she would probably not live another month.

When Jessica and Hannah went to meet Ashley in the waiting room, she was leaning against the front desk counter in pain, unable to sit in a chair. Ashley and her step-grandmother slowly followed them back to the consultation room where she continued to stand in pain with tears in her eyes. The distress tool, a survey she had filled out in the waiting room, indicated Ashley was highly stressed and in need of financial and emotional services, but the most striking aspect of the form was one word Ashley had scribbled - “Terrified.”

As our staff visited with Ashley to discern her needs and try to give her a sense of comfort and hope, she talked about not wanting to die and shared her desire to go back to school. It was heartbreaking to hear her story through her tears as they knew her situation was dire. It was soon revealed that Ashley had a 14 year old son who did not know she was sick. He was at a summer camp and would be there until the 28th of June. This caused some concern because our staff knew it was possible Ashley would not be alive by the time her son came home.

As she spoke to Jessica and Hannah, Ashley indicated that she and her son were the only support each other had. The step-grandmother was willing to take them in and take Ashley to her doctor appointments, but Ashley did not have any money or other assets and had been denied disability and unemployment. She was in the midst of a Medicaid spend down so she did not have anything to contribute to the extra costs that the grandmother was taking on.

When Ashley exited her appointment with the doctor that same day, Hannah was outside the exam room with a fuel card, literature to help Ashley prepare to tell her son of her diagnosis, a cancer care application to help her receive extra funds, and adult diapers for her hemorrhaging. Ashley was comforted by the immediate help and a familiar face in the oncology clinic.

To date, we have helped Ashley with $425.00 in gasoline, $270.00 in prescription assistance, and obtaining other resources for her. Ashley and her son are doing well. HOPE, Inc. is continuing to help her as she enters her last week of treatment.

This is why we do what we do.