USA Today quoted the study that one-fourth of cancer patients with incomes below $40,000 no longer pursued treatment. Those diagnosed with late-stage colon cancer had to spend over $25,000 out-of-pocket expenses, so only 12 percent of them sought medication.
Another study by USA Today, the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Harvard School of Public Health said 25 percent of families with a cancer patient spent their lifetime savings for the treatment. The same survey said 10 percent of these families had to forego some basic needs like food, heat and housing.
According to the New York Times, a new medication for women with breast cancer would cost patients $92,000 a year. The drug, given by the Food and Drug Administration in March an accelerated approval, had previous permit as a treatment for colorectal and lung cancer patients, which extended the lives of those diagnosed with those types of cancers by only a few months.
Meanwhile, the Center for Studying Health System Change came out last month with another report that said 20 percent of Americans have problems paying for their medical bills.
