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  • Financial Toxicity and Quality of Life

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    Brain Cancer and the Hidden Cost Financial Toxicity and Quality of Life. A powerful graphic of a brain with symbolic financial icons—e.g., coins, receipts, stress symbols and magnifying glass over a brain cancer. The Griffith University logo features at the top.May is Brain Cancer Awareness Month Let’s talk about more than just treatment. Brain tumour survivors face a hidden toll: financial toxicity. Vector image of a man with magnifying glass looking inside a brain which has an illuminated light globe with a dollar sign. Griffith University logo bottom leftMay marks Brain Cancer Awareness Month—a time to spotlight not only the medical but also the financial and emotional toll of brain tumours.

    New honours research by Jasmine Luttrell reveals that over half of brain tumour survivors report significant financial hardship, which is closely linked to increased anxiety and reduced quality of life.

    This study, led by Prof. Tamara Ownsworth was a NHMRC funded collaboration between Griffith University, Metro South Health (Radiation Oncology) and the Cancer Council Queensland.

    Over 50% of survivors report significant financial hardship— linked to higher anxiety and lower quality of life. An infographic image to show "50%" visually, with 5/10 figures shaded. And a woman sitting looking worried, with a chain anchoring her to a brain graphic. There are red lightening bolts coming from her head and a speech bubble with red dollar signs. Griffith University logo bottom left.

    What is financial toxicity? Illustrations for each point. 💸 Out-of-pocket costs (bag of money) 🚌 Transport, parking (plane, train, taxi, car) 🕒 Lost income from caregiving (wallet with a magnifying glass) 🏦 Depleted savings or debt (debt cycle image with red and black arrows with a pile of dollar notes and coins).

    What we found: • People with more aggressive tumours reported more financial distress • Greater financial burden = higher anxiety • Anxiety partially explains reduced quality of life Simple flow diagram with text and arrows to show the relationships. Accompanied with a vector image of a brain and hand holding a magnifying glass to show a brain cancer.


    We need action. Early screening for financial strain and tailored financial advice and support could improve wellbeing. It’s time to treat the whole person—not just the tumour. Vector image showing two women talking. Griffith University logo in bottom right corner.

    🔍 Read the full study In the Journal of Cancer Survivorship By Jasmine Luttrell, Prof. Tamara Ownsworth and colleagues Griffith University | Metro South Health | Cancer Council QLD (Logos) https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11764-025-01814-4


    Find out more:

    https://www.hopkinscentre.edu.au/news-view/brain-cancer-financial-toxicity-and-quality-of-503


    Read the full paper in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship.

    https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11764-025-01814-4

    Citation

    Luttrell, J., Lion, K., Pinkham, M. B., Collins, L. G., Ownsworth, T. The impact of financial toxicity on quality of life for survivors of primary brain tumour. Journal of Cancer Survivorship (2025).


    More Information Contact: Professor Tamara Ownsworth Research Director, The Hopkins Centre School of Applied Psychology Griffith University t.ownsworth@griffith.edu.au https://www.hopkinscentre.edu.au/news-view/brain-cancer-financial-toxicity-and-quality-of-503