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CHICAGO, June 3, 2023 — A new study led by researchers at the American Cancer Society (ACS) shows more than one-third of cancer patients had a major adverse financial event – bankruptcy, lien, or eviction – before their cancer diagnosis. These patients with adverse financial events had a later-stage diagnosis compared with patients with no events. The findings will be presented at this year’s annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago, June 2-6.
Researchers, led by Dr. Robin Yabroff, scientific vice president, health services research at the American Cancer Society, identified individuals, aged 21 to 69 years old, diagnosed with cancer during 2014-2015 from the SEER population-based registries for Seattle, Louisiana, and Georgia. Registry data were linked with LexisNexis consumer data to identify patients with a history of court-documented adverse financial events (AFEs). All AFEs occurring at any time prior to cancer diagnosis were identified. The association of AFEs and later-stage cancer diagnoses (Stages III/IV) was assessed with sex-specific multivariable logistic regression.
The results showed 36.2% of the 101,649 patients with cancer had a major AFE reported prior to diagnosis. AFEs were most common among non-Hispanic Black, unmarried, and low-income patients. However, even 27% of patients in the highest income group had anAFE prior to diagnosis.
Researchers hope understanding patients’ financial vulnerability within healthcare settings may inform efforts to improve equitable access to oncology care.
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