Jonas de Souza participates in both clinical and outcomes research studies on malignancies of the upper aerodigestive tract, especially head and neck cancers. His research focuses on the use of novel therapeutic agents along with measurements of financial burden, patients’ preferences, and the trade-offs between the risks and benefits of cancer therapies. His research has sought to integrate outcomes research, patient preferences, health policy, and economics into clinical practice. His ultimate goal is to increase access to essential cancer therapies by providing policy makers and scientific communities with the required information on patient preferences and on barriers that lie between cancer patients and access to care.
De Souza has authored and presented papers and given lectures on head and neck malignancies, reimbursement methods in oncology, and evidence-based care. He is the principal investigator for a trial examining the role of SPECT-CT in the follow-up of patients with locally advanced head and neck cancers.
De Souza earned his MD from the University of Rio de Janeiro State. He completed his residency specializing in internal medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center in 2008 and a fellowship focusing on hematology/oncology at the University of Chicago in 2011.
During this episode the following topics are discussed:
“Financial toxicity,” or the financial burdens that some patients suffer as a result of the cost of their treatments can cause damage to their physical and emotional well-being.
Financial impact of thyroid cancer
Lost income or high out-of-pocket costs for treatment, medication or related care.
Like any other side effect, financial toxicity should be disclosed and discussed with the patients.
Patients with thyroid cancer had a 41% increased risk for unemployment at 2 years