A study published in The Lancet Oncology found that uninsured individuals are more likely to be diagnosed with late stage colon cancer than people who have insurance. The researchers also determined that black people are the most likely to receive a late stage colon cancer diagnosis, regardless of whether they have health insurance.
About the Study
While other studies have shown that a lack of insurance increases the risk of a late diagnosis (and it also just makes sense), this study is different because it's more comprehensive and involved more people. Specifically, the researchers used data from almost four million patients throughout the United States who were diagnosed with cancer between 1998 and 2004.
Results of the Study
The researchers determined uninsured individuals (as well as those insured by Medicaid) were two to three times more likely to be diagnosed with stage 3 or stage 4 colon cancer than with stage 1 colon cancer. This is significant because the survival rate for colon cancer is significantly higher when diagnosed early.
The study didn't quantify the risk of later-stage diagnosis between races; it just determined that blacks received a late stage diagnosis more often than whites. Hispanics also had a higher risk of late stage diagnosis, but less so than blacks. The researchers suggested the disparity may be caused by a lack of health literacy and fewer healthcare providers in minority communities. Unfortunately, this study didn't attempt to determine if there are disparities in the gay community, a segment that tends to be overlooked in major health studies.
Why This Study Matters
I think this study is valuable because it clearly demonstrates the importance of colon cancer screening. Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for men and women combined, even though it's one of the most preventable cancers. This study helps explain why, since 47 million Americans are uninsured.
Although getting a colonoscopy can reduce the average person's risk of dying from colon cancer by 90%, many uninsured people assume they can't afford screening. Fortunately, that's a misperception. To learn more, please read Colon Cancer Screening for the Uninsured.
Sources:
Halpern, M. and Ward, E. "Association of Insurance Status and Ethnicity with Cancer Stage at Diagnosis for 12 Cancer Sites: A Retrospective Analysis." The Lancet Oncology (18 Feb. 2008): Early online publication. Accessed 18 Feb. 2008 [http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470204508700329/abstract?isEOP=true].
Kevin Sack. "Study Finds Cancer Diagnosis Linked to Insurance." The New York Times 18 Feb. 2007. Accessed 18 Feb. 2007 [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/18/health/18cancer.html?ref=health].
