Financial toxicity, mental health, and gynecologic cancer treatment: The effect of the COVID‐19 pandemic among low‐income women in New York City

BACKGROUND New York City (NYC) emerged as an epicenter of the COVID‐19 pandemic, and marginalized populations were affected at disproportionate rates. The authors sought to determine the impact of COVID‐19 on cancer treatment, anxiety, and financial distress among low‐income patients with gynecologic cancer during the peak of the NYC pandemic. METHODS Medicaid‐insured women who were receiving gynecologic oncology care at 2 affiliated centers were contacted by telephone interviews between March 15 and April 15, 2020. Demographics and clinical characteristics were obtained through self‐report and retrospective chart review. Financial toxicity, anxiety, and cancer worry were assessed using modified, validated surveys. RESULTS In total, 100 patients completed the telephone interview. The median age was 60 years (range, 19‐86 years), and 71% had an annual income