Half of cancer survivors face cancer-related financial difficulties, according to a research letter published online August 20. JAMA network opened.

Apoorv Dhir, MD, of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and colleagues estimated the prevalence of financial hardship among cancer survivors across different cancer types. The analysis included responses from 1,212 participants in the Health Information National Trends Survey- Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 2021.

The researchers found that when asked about financial difficulties, 56.4% of respondents answered “not at all,” 22.1% answered “a little,” 15.0% answered “somewhat,” and 6.5% answered “a lot.” There were differences by type of cancer. Higher odds of financial difficulties were associated with younger age (50 to 59 years: adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 3.66), lower income ($35,000 to $74,999: aOR 3.55), advanced cancer stage (non-local: aOR 1.92), and government health insurance (Medicare: aOR 1.43). Each 0.01 increase in the Social Vulnerability Index meant a lower likelihood of reporting no financial difficulties and a higher likelihood of reporting little, some, or great financial difficulties.

“Recognizing the role of societal and structural barriers and identifying socially vulnerable populations for targeted interventions represents a potential strategy to mitigate financial hardship and ensure equitable cancer care,” the authors write.

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