publication date: Jun. 13, 2014
CL40-24burdens.html
Cancer Survivors Face Greater Economic Burdens, Study Says
By Tessa Vellek
Cancer survivors face higher medical costs and productivity losses when compared to people without a cancer history, according to a CDC study published June 13.
“Cancer survivors face physical, emotional, psychosocial, employment and financial challenges as a result of their cancer diagnosis and treatment,” said Donatus Ekwueme, a senior health economist at CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control. “With the number of cancer survivors expected to increase by more than 30 percent in the next decade—to 18 million Americans—medical and public health professionals must be diligent in their efforts to help reduce the burden of cancer on survivors and their families.”
From 2008-2011, male cancer survivors had annual medical costs of more than $8,000 per person and productivity losses of $3,700, compared to males without a cancer history at $3,900 and $2,300, respectively.
Female cancer survivors had $8,400 in annual medical costs per person and $4,000 in productivity losses compared to females without a history of cancer at $5,100 and $2,700, respectively.
“These findings suggest the need to develop and evaluate health and employment intervention programs aimed at improving outcomes for cancer survivors and their families,” the researchers wrote in their report.
Lost productivity was estimated by assessing employment disability, health-related missed workdays, and days spent in bed due to poor health.
Nearly one-third of cancer survivors experienced limitations in their ability to perform usual daily activities outside of work, and 12 percent had impeded ability to perform mental tasks associated with usual daily activities.
Nearly one-fourth of cancer survivors felt less productive at … Continue reading 40-24 Cancer Survivors Face Greater Economic Burdens, Study SaysTo access this members-only content, please log in.Institutional subscribers, please
log in with your IP.
If you're not a subscriber why not
join today? To gain access to the members only content
click here to subscribe.
You will be given immediate access to premium content on the site.
Click here to join.
