Pandemic's hidden cost: breast cancer patients face financial strain

NCT ID NCT04169542

Knowledge-focused Sponsor: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study looks at how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted out-of-pocket costs, lost wages, and unemployment for 600 breast cancer patients undergoing surgery. Participants will fill out questionnaires about their financial experiences. The goal is to understand the financial toxicity of cancer care during a global health crisis.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

What this could lead to: If successful, this study could highlight the financial burdens breast cancer patients face during a pandemic, potentially guiding policies to reduce economic strain.
What could go wrong: This is an observational study, not a treatment trial, so it won't directly improve health outcomes. Results may not apply to all patients or future pandemics.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Participants

About 600 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

May 2019

Expected to finish

Mar 2028

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Who is studied

Patients who are evaluated for breast reconstruction at MD Anderson Cancer Center (Texas Medical Center, Katy, League City, Memorial City, Sugar Land, The Woodlands) and, pending Institutional Review Board approval, domestic institutions in the MD Anderson Cancer Network

Ages

18 years and older

Sex

Female participants only

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Have an indication for surgical treatment of invasive breast cancer or ductal breast carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or prophylaxis in the setting of genetic mutations or strong family history * English-speaking * Able to complete consent * Able to fill out computer survey material Exclusion Criteria: * Non-English-speaking * Those with recurrent or metastatic disease or concurrent primary cancers * Patients undergoing breast conservation therapy will also be excluded from the study

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

COVID-19 ductal breast carcinoma in situ hereditary breast carcinoma invasive breast carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Breast ductal carcinoma in situ COVID-19 infection Hereditary breast carcinoma Invasive breast carcinoma

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

4 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
The official record

ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

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A doctor treating you

A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.

Pandemic's hidden cost: breast cancer patients face financial strain

What the study statuses mean