Private MD News

Survey: Many cancer survivors avoid medical tests

Category: General Health

Despite the fact that cancer can often predispose individuals to a range of other diseases, a new survey has found that many cancer survivors forego further medical testing because they worry the financial cost will be too great.

The survey, the results of which were published in the journal of the American Cancer Society, collected data from 6,602 cancer survivors. The results showed that 7.8 percent of cancer survivors said that they avoided seeking medical care because of concerns about the cost.

Kathryn Weaver, who led the study, said that the impact of foregoing medical care cannot be determined by the results of the survey, but estimates that many survivors have less than optimal health due to avoiding medical tests and other care.

"Cancer survivors have many medical needs that persist for years after their diagnosis and treatment," she said. "The implications of this financial stress for their ongoing medical care are just beginning to be recognized."

Weaver noted that the recently passed healthcare reform might help many cancer survivors have better access to medical care.