Cancer Treatments Weigh on Personal Health Insurance
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The news in the article is definitely good; the number of cancer survivors has tripled in the last 30 years, thanks to earlier diagnosis and advanced medications and technologies.
But these cancer treatments are costly, and not everyone can afford them. Personal health insurance helps for those who have it, but with 46 million uninsured the odds of catching and preventing their cancer are significantly lower.
And as the number of survivors goes up, so will costs. The number of people diagnosed with cancer in 2005, including those who had finished treatment was 11.7 million, representing about 1 in 26 Americans. By the year 2020 this figure will be 18.7 million, representing about 1 in 19 Americans.
Right now cancer treatments rank among the most expensive. As we use technology to save lives, that technology just won't fit into an already dysfunctional healthcare system.
For now, the smartest thing people can do is to search for personal health insurance that can offer protection from the costs of cancer. For those with Medicare, supplemental insurance could be a good bet.
Hopefully, upcoming legislature will reflect the changing medical needs of Americans, making cancer care equally available to all those who need it.