Thomson Reuters Survey Finds Cancer Patients Forgoing Treatment

Thomson Reuters Survey Finds Cancer Patients Forgoing Treatment: "cancer treatment decisions of individuals.

Entitled “The Cost of Cancer,” the report aggregates survey responses from 1,767 adults currently being treated for cancer. It finds a clear link between patients’ annual income and their decisions to curb cancer treatments due to cost — even among patients with late-stage cancers.

The report notes that among the 569 survey respondents with late-stage cancer, 12.3 percent said they have passed up recommended treatment because it was too expensive. This figure varies dramatically by patient income level. Twenty-five percent of late-stage cancer patients who earn less than $40,000 a year said they have chosen not to undergo a recommended treatment due to cost — compared with 11.2 percent of those earning between $40,000 and $80,000 per year and 4.8 percent of those earning more than $80,000 annually.

Similarly, 65 percent of all respondents with late-stage cancer said the out-of-pocket cost of treating their cancer has caused them distress. Among all cancer patients earning under $40,000 per year, that number jumps to 77 percent.

“The physical and emotional burden of illness is not the only challenge cancer patients face,” said Bill Marder, PhD, senior vice president and general manager for the Healthcare business of Thomson Reuters. “Many also struggle to cope with medical costs. This survey shows that the cost of cancer treatment is affecting patients’ ability to get the care they need.”"

I think this research speaks volumes about the American healthcare system. This is why I have it categorized under so many topics (see links below and to right). It speaks to the de facto rationing by income in the US, it speaks to how consumers "drive" healthcare (i.e., decision making is not rational), how our waiting times are trimmed by not including those who don't seek care due to financial concerns, and how those who love to try to compare anecdote horror stories just don't geet how bad our system is for so many people.

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