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/

[Old Codger]

1. I am surprised

That that is all really, cancer treatment costs are totally out of control, the drugs are way to high, one shot that goes along with Chemo. runs into 7 to 12,000.00 per shot...and you get one every treatment...The so called affordable care act does nothing to address actual health care costs all it does is guarantee insurance companies will have a captive clientele..the actual health care costs are still climbing, co-pays are still climbing and the insurance companies are raising their prices ..

[shadowmayor]

2. We're Number 1

USA USA . . . in the good ol' USA the number 1 reason why people go broke is due to medical expenses. Job loss is number 2. Getting sick in America accounts for 62% of bankruptcies and of this group 78% had or have some type of insurance. Number of people who go broke in other countries where medicine is a socialized service and not a for profit business - exactly zero!

I have tried explaining this to my republican and some of my democrat friends and colleagues to little avail. It's like telling my cat how great Pink Floyd is. I get that look that says, dude I am so not listening to what you say!!!!

As Alan Grayson said, "if you get sick in America - Die Quickly".

[Geronimoe]

3. All we need is incrementalism

move along folks.

[Contrary1]

4. I quit counting at $100,000.

and that was 19 years ago. Can't even imagine what the cost would be today.

Really sad what is allowed to go on in this country.