As treatment for early stage breast cancer becomes less extensive and more precise, a growing concern is surfacing: Cancer takes an enormous toll financially on many people.

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A new study led by researchers at the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center finds that many patients are concerned about the financial impact of their diagnosis and treatment, and that they feel their doctors’ offices aren’t adequately addressing these concerns.

“We have made a lot of progress in breast cancer treatment, which is wonderful,” says lead study author Reshma Jagsi, M.D., D.Phil., deputy chair and professor of radiation oncology at Michigan Medicine. “But this study shows we are only part of the way to our goal.

"We must now turn our efforts to confronting the financial devastation many patients face.”

Jagsi and other researchers surveyed about 2,500 patients treated for early stage breast cancer — as well as 845 treating surgeons, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists. The study is published in Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society.