Comparison of two validated instruments to measure financial hardship in cancer survivors: comprehensive score for financial toxicity (COST) versus personal financial wellness (PFW) scale

Purpose Financial distress and financial toxicity are recognized challenges in cancer survivorship. Financial toxicity includes both objective measures of hardship and subjective distress. We hypothesized that subjective financial distress is correlated to overall holistic financial toxicity. We compared two widely accepted instruments to measure financial distress and financial toxicity. Methods Patients in the follow-up phase of care at a single institution were surveyed regarding demographic and economic status. Financial toxicity was measured using the comprehensive score for financial toxicity–functional assessment of chronic illness (COST-FACIT) and financial distress using the personal financial wellness (PFW) scale. Surveys were analyzed for correlation and internal consistency. Patient score distributions were compared. Associations between survey scores and patient factors were assessed using multivariable linear regression models. Results A total of 116 patients were included. Scores from the COST-FACIT showed a strong correlation with PFW scores ( r = 0.90, p