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Features for Senior Citizens
Devastating Affect of Cancer Highlighted in New
Study of People with Cancer
USA Today/Kaiser/Harvard survey finds problems
in
health care system
November 21, 2006 - A major national survey of
people affected by cancer provides an in-depth examination of how
families cope with cancer and highlights problems of health insurance
and health care costs through the lens of those who have experienced
this major illness. The results show how health care and health
insurance systems can fail to protect people when they are most in need.
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Features for Senior Citizens |
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Conducted jointly by USA Today, the Kaiser Family
Foundation, and the Harvard School of Public Health, the survey shows
the diseases devastating impact often extends beyond an individual
patient to affect entire families sometimes causing financial crises,
strained relationships, and physical and mental health issues for those
who love and care for people diagnosed with cancer.
The survey found that one in four families affected
by cancer say the experience led the person with the disease to use up
all or most of their savings, and one in eight say they borrowed money
from relatives. The illness also made it harder for some to find and
keep health insurance with about one in 10 saying they couldnt buy
health insurance because they had been diagnosed with cancer, and 6%
saying they lost their coverage as a result of the disease.
Having health insurance at all times during
treatment helped to limit the financial consequences of a cancer
diagnosis, but even those with consistent coverage faced difficulties
one in five used up all or most of their savings, one in 10 borrowed
money from relatives and 9% were contacted by a collection agency.
Among those who did not have health insurance
consistently during their illness, the financial burden was even
greater. More than one in four said that they delayed or decided not to
get treatment because of its cost five times the rate reported by
those who had health insurance consistently. Nearly half used all or
most of their savings; four in 10 were unable to pay for basic
necessities; one in three sought the aid of a charity or public
assistance program; and 6% filed for personal bankruptcy.
This is one of the most disturbing of the hundreds
of surveys we have done, said Kaiser Family Foundation President and
CEO Drew E. Altman, Ph.D. When people with cancer are deferring care
and experiencing such serious financial hardships because of inadequate
insurance or because they have no health insurance, it casts a new light
on the need to address our nations health insurance problems.
While most report that employers treated them well
after the diagnosis of cancer, 44% say that the family member diagnosed
with cancer suffered problems at work related to their disease. This
includes one in three who say the disease limited their ability to do
their job, one in five who say it affected how others perceived their
performance, one in 10 who had to change jobs, and one in 10 who were
removed from a job because of their illness. Problems were most common
among workers who earned less than $40,000, but also affected higher
earners.
The survey also finds that half of families say
that they experienced at least one problem related to coordination of
care during the course of cancer treatment. This includes one in four
who report that they received conflicting information from different
doctors or other professionals involved in their care, one in five who
received duplicate tests or diagnostic procedures, and one in five who
were confused by the medications their doctors prescribed. Other issues
include leaving a doctors office without getting important questions
about their care answered (15%) and medical records not reaching a
doctors office in time for an appointment (13%).
Clearly a top priority for improving cancer care
in this country is fixing this problem, said Robert J. Blendon,
Professor of Health Policy and Political Analysis at the Harvard School
of Public Health and the John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Among survivors, most report some positive impacts
as a result of the cancer, and many say the experience changed their
outlook on life in a positive direction. Still, many report stress and
strain, including health problems for family members other than the
person with cancer.
The National Survey of Households Affected by
Cancer is a nationally representative survey of 930 adults ages 18 years
and older who say they, or another family member in their household,
have been diagnosed with or treated for cancer in the past five years
(excluding non-melanoma skin cancer). The survey was conducted by
telephone between Aug. 1 and Sept. 14, 2006, and has a margin of
sampling error of 3.6 percent.
USA Today is featuring the survey results in a
series of articles beginning today. A link to those articles, as well as
the full survey results and charts with key data, are available
online.
The USA Today/Kaiser Family Foundation/Harvard
School of Public Health Survey Project is a three-way partnership. USA
Today, Kaiser, and Harvard jointly design and analyze surveys examining
health care issues, with USA Today retaining editorial control over the
content published by the paper.
>>
More on the study click here.
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