Pathways to Care, Out- of- Pocket Expenditure, and Associated Factors Among Breast Cancer Patients in Kerala, India: A Hospital-Based Cross- Sectional Study

Key Points

• To investigate care pathways and financial burdens faced by breast cancer patients in Kerala.
• Conducted a cross-sectional study at a hospital in Kerala
• Analyzed patient pathways to care and expenses incurred
• Examined differences in out-of-pocket expenditures based on treatment centers
• Majority accessed tertiary care through indirect pathways
• Significantly higher out-of-pocket expenditure at private centers
• Identified need for improved primary care linkages and referral coordination

Abstract