Roughly One In Six Cancer Survivors Forgo Some Medical Care Due To Cost, Study Finds
AARP Bulletin: "Two years after undergoing a double mastectomy and chemotherapy so severe she was hospitalized in intensive care for several weeks, breast cancer survivor Denise Hicks should be following what her doctors call 'the plan,'" which includes additional medications and treatments. But she can't. "Hicks has health insurance but already reached her coverage limits. So the CT scan that her oncologist 'strongly advised" months ago to check a possible recurrence remains undone. She's also skipping recommended medications. Hick's disquieting predicament is not unique. At least 2 million Americans-roughly one in six cancer survivors-decide to forgo at least some of their recommended follow-up medical care because of the cost, according to recent research" published in the medical journal Cancer (Kirchheimer, 8/27).This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.