Lack of health insurance coverage adds to disparities in advanced-stage diagnosis of multiple cancers, large study finds

Medical Xpress October 30, 2024
American Cancer Society

A new, large study led by American Cancer Society (ACS) researchers found that lack of health insurance coverage accounts for a significant proportion of racial and ethnic disparities in advanced-stage diagnosis of multiple cancers. The findings are published today in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

“Health insurance coverage is a key determinant of access to high-quality health care across the cancer continuum from prevention to early detection, treatment, and survivorship in the United States,” said Dr. Parichoy Pal Choudhury, Principal Scientist, Biostatistics at the American Cancer Society and lead author of the study. “These findings could inform appropriate policies geared towards increasing coverage of health insurance for all populations.”