According to two recent studies in America, those people without health insurance and certain types of public medical insurance are more likely to face a diagnosis of cancer, compared to those that do have private health insurance . The studies were in American Cancer Society journal CANCER, and indicate that availability of health insurance can make a real different to cancer.
The level of Americans without any health insurance cover is huge, over 46 million. Beyond this, thousands are underinsured, meaning they do not have adequate access to health care . The uninsured have been found to get less adequate care, or receive and take recommended treatments. The study is thought to be one of the first linking insurance status and cancer.
Analysing a range of different types and risks of cancer, the research team concluded that type of health insurance predicted stage of diagnosis and tumour size. An accompanying editorial reportedly concluded: "Having a usual primary care clinician, a trusted source of care, also known as a medical home, is a strong predictor of improved preventive care delivery. A primary care medical home plays a vital role in reducing cancer mortality. Individuals who have a regular source of primary care are both more likely to be up to date with cancer screening and more likely to receive timely follow-up and evaluation for abnormal findings on an initial screen. Clearly, the issues of adequacy, availability, and affordability of coverage are serious problems that must be addressed collectively as we work to fix what is wrong with our health care system."
Lack of insurance cover leads to advanced cancer, study claims
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Lack of insurance cover leads to advanced cancer, study claims
Wed, 13 Jun 2007
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