While side effects of treatment such as hair loss, fatigue and depression have long been concerns for doctors supervising cancer treatments, some doctors are realizing their attention should extend to the effects of costly treatments. Researchers are referring to this as "financial toxicity."

Financial toxicity refers to the financial burdens patients may suffer as a result of the cost of their treatments, which can in turn cause damage to their physical and emotional well-being. For instance, if a patient is concerned about the cost of a treatment, they may delay or even forgo it all together, or perhaps only partially fill or avoid taking prescribed medications.

In an effort to address this phenomena. assistant professor of medicine at the University of Chicago Medical Center, Jonas de Souza, has developed a questionnaire for physicians to assess whether cancer patients are financially stressed. This can help to understand patient stressors and ultimately how to address their worries Responses have included, "I am used to always working--paying bills on time. Now the illness took this all away" which can indicate a need on the part of healthcare professionals to address work concerns.

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