• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Thomson Reuters Survey Finds Cancer Patients Forgoing Treatment Because of Cost

Posted on: Monday, 13 October 2008, 15:00 CDT

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The Healthcare business of Thomson Reuters today announced the publication of a new research report which analyzes the impact of cost on the cancer treatment decisions of individuals.

Entitled "The Cost of Cancer," the report aggregates survey responses from 1,767 adults currently being treated for cancer. It finds a clear link between patients' annual income and their decisions to curb cancer treatments due to cost -- even among patients with late-stage cancers.

The report notes that among the 569 survey respondents with late-stage cancer, 12.3 percent said they have passed up recommended treatment because it was too expensive. This figure varies dramatically by patient income level. Twenty-five percent of late-stage cancer patients who earn less than $40,000 a year said they have chosen not to undergo a recommended treatment due to cost -- compared with 11.2 percent of those earning between $40,000 and $80,000 per year and 4.8 percent of those earning more than $80,000 annually.

Similarly, 65 percent of all respondents with late-stage cancer said the out-of-pocket cost of treating their cancer has caused them distress. Among all cancer patients earning under $40,000 per year, that number jumps to 77 percent.

"The physical and emotional burden of illness is not the only challenge cancer patients face," said Bill Marder, PhD, senior vice president and general manager for the Healthcare business of Thomson Reuters. "Many also struggle to cope with medical costs. This survey shows that the cost of cancer treatment is affecting patients' ability to get the care they need."

Data for the report were aggregated using the Thomson Reuters NexProfiler(TM) Treatment Option Tool to identify and survey patients who are actively being treated for breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer or lung cancer. The results are based on the responses of 1,767 adults who completed an online survey in May 2008 (39,882 were invited to participate via e-mail). All results have undergone statistical testing, and all comparisons are significant at the 95-percent confidence level, unless otherwise noted.

About Thomson Reuters

The Healthcare business of Thomson Reuters produces insights, information, benchmarks and analysis that enable organizations to manage costs, improve performance and enhance the quality of healthcare. Thomson Reuters is the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. We combine industry expertise with innovative technology to deliver critical information to leading decision makers in the financial, legal, tax and accounting, scientific, healthcare and media markets, powered by the world's most trusted news organization. With headquarters in New York and major operations in London and Eagan, Minnesota, Thomson Reuters employs more than 50,000 people in 93 countries. Thomson Reuters shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange ; Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: TRI); London Stock Exchange ; and Nasdaq . For more information, go to http://www.thomsonreuters.com/.

Thomson Reuters

CONTACT: David Wilkins, Media Relations, Healthcare, Thomson Reuters,+1-734-913-3397, david.wilkins@thomsonreuters.com

Web site: http://www.thomsonreuters.com/

Source: PRNewswire

More News in this Category