Impacts of Financial Support on Financial Toxicity among Nasopharyngeal Cancer Patients : Moderating Role of Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Yeoh, Choi Yean (2020) Impacts of Financial Support on Financial Toxicity among Nasopharyngeal Cancer Patients : Moderating Role of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Masters thesis, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS).

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Abstract

This thesis aims to study the moderating role of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) on the relationship between financial support (FS) and financial toxicity (FT). A total of 413 Nasopharyngeal cancer patients who had received a diagnosis, treatment and follow up at both the Sarawak General Hospital and Penang General Hospital were randomly selected for the survey, using a primary data collection approach, between November 2018- September 2019. Information related to the surveyed patients demographic profiles, cancer treatment information, the average direct and the indirect costs incurred by patients suffering from Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) at its various stages and the sources of their financial assistance throughout the treatment periods were assembled. There was a moderating effect of CAM between financial support and financial toxicity at the 10% level of significance. Besides, gender, religion, education, income and CAM were significant variables in explaining financial toxicity. This study suggests that the government should emphasise the development and improvement of transportation and health facilities in rural areas, especially in Sarawak, so that cancer patients can more easily access the nearest hospital for treatment. Additionally, the study calls for: a rethink regarding the financial support given to NPC patients, additional education for the public to increase awareness about NPC, the promotion of healthier lifestyles and the teaching of financial management in schools. Lastly, the government could establish a mechanism to provide free screening tests for NPC in areas of high incidence as a step towards cancer prevention. Keywords: Complementary and alternative medicine, financial support, financial toxicity, nasopharyngeal cancer, moderating effect.

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