At least 2 million Americans whose cancer went into remission decided against getting recommended follow up treatment mostly because their health insurance wouldn’t fully cover it. That cost-cutting and life-threatening decision was made by one in six cancer “survivors” in the country, according to research published last week headed by Kathryn Weaver of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. The study was based on data collected between 2003 and 2006, before the recession hit and unemployment figures skyrocketed.
“We’re hearing more and more of these stories than we used to,” Anna McCourt, a supervisor at the National Cancer Information Center, told Sid Kirchheimer, a reporter for AARP’s online bulletin. “Because of out-of-pocket costs, people are avoiding tests they know they need, they’re taking half doses of medication to make it last longer. But if you freeze because you can’t afford heat this winter, cancer medication isn’t going to be that helpful anyway.”
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