Financial toxicity: Early results from the Irish Prostate Cancer Outcomes Research Programme
M Daly, N Gordon, L Hoang, W Farooq, W Watson, C Perrotta, D GalvinAbstract
Introduction
Prostate cancer (PCa) affects 1 in 8 men in Ireland, being the most common male cancer. Financial toxicity (FT), the economic burden arising from cancer diagnosis and treatment, influences quality-of-life, treatment adherence, and survivorship. A panel of Irish prostate cancer patients identified FT as a research priority during a co-design process. IPCOR aims to measure and identify predictors of FT using standardised tools and questionnaires to provide the first evidence of financial hardship among men with PCa in Ireland.
Methods
FT has been collected from September 2025 using the FACIT-COST questionnaire six months post-diagnosis when patients are undergoing or have completed PCa treatment. Descriptive analyses summarise socio-demographic data and FT scores. As IPCOR keeps recruiting participants, more data is expected to complement these early findings.
Results
Out of 38 participants who completed the FACIT-COST, 29 had valid FT scores. Median FT score was 31 (range 12-43, out of a possible 44), indicating mild to moderate financial toxicity. 13 participants (45%) reported their illness caused financial hardship for their families. Most were aged 60-69 years (50%), treated in public hospitals (97%), and without private health insurance (76%). 50% were employed full-time, and 41% were retired. Among those reporting income, 13% had an annual income of less than €15,000, and 60% less than €55,000.
Conclusions
This is a first descriptive evaluation of FT among men undergoing PCa treatment in Ireland. Updated full results, including stratification by time since diagnosis, diagnosis, and treatment type will be presented.
Key messages
• Financial toxicity affects patients undergoing treatment for prostate cancer and impacts quality of life, treatment adherence, and survivorship.
• Nearly half of all participants in the Irish Prostate Cancer Outcomes Research Programme reported that their illness caused financial hardship.