Abstract

      Aims:
1. To gain an in-depth understanding, from patient and carer perspectives, of the financial issues encountered by people affected by cancer;
2. To document the consequences and coping strategies arising from the financial effects of cancer; and
3. To explore the nature, acceptability and impact of the advice/support that patients and carers receive with regard to financial concerns.

Methodology:
This is an exploratory qualitative study using in-depth conversational interviews with people affected by cancer and their carers. Participants are interviewed face-to-face or by telephone, and interviews are recorded digitally. The interviews focus on: reasons for and impact of cancer-related financial concerns; strategies for managing finances in the presence or absence of advice and support from the health, social care, advice and financial sectors; and experiences of dealing with the paperwork, rules and employees associated with financial services/institutions. Contextual and demographic data are also collected. A flexible interview guide and concurrent analysis of data are being used. Following transcription, interviews are analysed thematically using NVivo, an electronic qualitative data analysis package. 

Sample:
Participants are accessed via a number of sources, including a regional cancer centre, an NHS trust, a hospice and self-help/support groups in North-west England. Approximately 40 people aged 18 and over who have received a cancer diagnosis and, where possible, their carers will be interviewed. This size of sample allows patients to be sampled purposively in terms of age, gender, cancer type, length of time since diagnosis, employment status, level of financial advice received and a number of other factors. Using a range of recruitment sources helps to maximise variation in the sample.

Findings:
To follow

Conclusions and implications for further research:
To follow