In:
JNCI Cancer Spectrum, Oxford University Press (OUP), Vol. 2, No. 2 ( 2018-04-01)
Abstract:
Financial hardships experienced by cancer survivors have become a prominent public health issue in the United States. Few studies of financial hardship have assessed financial holdings, including assets, debts, and their values, associated with a cancer history. Methods Using the 2008–2011 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, we identified 1603 cancer survivors and 34 915 individuals age 18–64 years without a cancer history to assess associations between self-reported cancer history and assets, debts, and net worth. Distributions of self-reported asset and debt ownership, their values, and net worth were compared for adults with and without a cancer history with chi-square statistics. Multivariable ordered probit regression analysis was conducted to assess the association between cancer history and net worth using a two-sided Wald test. All analyses were stratified by age group (18–34, 35–44, 45–54, and 55–64 years). Statistical tests were two-sided. Results Among those age 45–54 years, cancer survivors had a lower proportion of home ownership than individuals without a cancer history (59.0% vs 67.1%, P = .0014) and were statistically significantly more likely to have negative net worth (≤–$3000) and less likely to have positive net worth (≥$3000). Cancer survivors were more likely to have debt than individuals without a cancer history, especially among those age 18–34 years (41.3% vs 27.1%, P 〈 .001). Conclusions Cancer history is associated with lower asset ownership, more debt, and lower net worth, especially in survivors age 45–54 years. Longitudinal studies of financial holdings will be important to inform development of interventions to reduce financial hardship.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
2515-5091
DOI:
10.1093/jncics/pky004
Language:
English
Publisher:
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Publication Date:
2018
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2975772-1
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