Cancer patients’ perspectives on financial burden in a universal healthcare system: Analysis of qualitative data from participants from 20 provincial cancer centers in Canada

OBJECTIVE: To seek understanding of financial burden from the perspective of cancer patients, in a largely publicly funded health care system, about the impacts of financial hardship on their lives. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive analysis was completed for comments written in response to an open-ended, free-text item on a pan-Canadian survey about costs incurred during cancer treatment and follow-up and the impact of financial difficulties.