Study: One-quarter of cancer patients can't afford treatment

[Cheese Sandwich]

For many patients, not having health insurance or an inability to meet general household expenses is the main barrier to delaying care.

Researchers fear that the 26 percent of cancer patients who can't afford to obtain care, and 18 percent who can't afford prescription medications, will get worse as the cost of care and health insurance continues to increase.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C., June 3 (UPI) -- A significant number of cancer patients report they cannot afford treatment, a problem researchers in a recent study fear will become worse as the costs of new cancer treatments continue to increase.

Researchers at the University of North Carolina report more than one-quarter of cancer patients can't afford to pay for their treatment, and nearly one in five can't afford their prescriptions, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Cancer patients are often treated with tight drug regimens designed around regularity and must be closely monitored, but if this cannot be done, not only does it risk the efficacy of the treatment, but the potential for patients to beat the disease.

Making concerns worse, researchers say the cost of cancer treatment continues to increase as deductibles and premiums increase at the same time, almost guaranteeing the problem will get worse over time if nothing is done.
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http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2016/06/03/Study-One-quarter-of-cancer-patients-cant-afford-treatment/8381464973916/