A new study shows cancer patients and survivors are finding it increasingly challenging to get necessary health care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
87% of respondents to an American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network survey of cancer patients and survivors said the pandemic had affected their health care in some manner, up from 51% in April.
Julie Hart is with the American Cancer Society's Cancer Action Network:
"COVID-19 is impacting their ability to access care, their ability to pay for care, and also this combined medical-financial stress is impacting the mental health of cancer patients."
The survey found of those in active treatment, 79% reported delays to their health care (up from 27%), including 17% of patients who reported delays to their cancer therapy.
- A full polling memo can be found here: https://bit.ly/3d4n8aR
The web-based survey was taken by more than 1,200 cancer patients and survivors between April 30 and May 14. This sample provides a margin of error +/- 3% and 96% confidence level.