Fred Hutch Researchers: One Cancer Side Effect May Be Bankruptcy
As the quality and diversity of cancer care soars, it's unsurprising that the cost of the treatments goes with it. But even with incredible medical advancements, making critical decisions regarding cancer care can be nearly impossible--especially when factoring in the cost of the care itself is enough to literally put survivors into bankruptcy, according to a study released today by local researchers, cancer care is driving many patients to bankruptcy.
The study, which was released today at the 2011 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting, was the work of researchers from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, the UW and the University of Bristol. The researchers cross-referenced Washington State's bankruptcy records with medical records of cancer patients.
The report, which was featured on NPR this morning, found that of the over 230,000 people in the database of medical records, 4,800 had filed for bankruptcy within four years of their care. In the Nation in 2010, 1.5 million Americans, total, had filed.
Additionally, the study found, the bankruptcy rate is much lower in those who are over 65 and thus, receiving Medicare, and higher for those with certain kinds of cancer, including lung cancer and leukemia.
Cancer treatment is progressing in leaps and bounds, but if it continues to pose such a financial strain, surviving will no longer be the goal--surviving debt-free will be.
