Cancer Outcomes Are Shaped By More Than Medicine

By Rora Mekonen

Health Sciences Major | Class of 2027 | The Ohio State University

Cancer is a major health issue that affects people from many different backgrounds. However, a person’s socioeconomic status can have a big impact on their risk of developing cancer, their ability to receive treatment, and their overall chances of survival.

Sunsplash. Photo by Olga Kononenko

Socioeconomic status includes factors such as income, education, employment, health insurance, and someone's environment. These factors can create differences in cancer outcomes, even if people have the same type of cancer. One of the biggest ways economic status affects cancer is through access to healthcare. People with lower incomes may have difficulty affording doctor visits, medications, screenings, or other medical expenses. If someone does not have health insurance or has limited coverage, they may avoid going to the doctor because they are worried about the cost. This can lead to cancer being discovered later, when it most likely will be more difficult to treat.

Sunsplash. Photo by National Cancer Institute

Regular screenings, such as mammograms, colonoscopies, and lung cancer screenings can help detect cancer earlier, but not everyone has the same access or ability to cover these services. Education can also play a role in cancer outcomes. People with more education may have more access to information about cancer prevention risk factors and recommended health screenings. Someone who has less health knowledge may not recognize certain patterns or understand when they should seek medical attention. This goes to show how access to health information can affect health decisions. Where a person lives can also make a difference. Some lower-income or rural communities have fewer healthcare providers and cancer treatment centers. People may have to travel long distances for appointments, which can be more challenging if they do not have reliable transportation or cannot take time off work. Jobs can also affect cancer care because not everyone has paid sick leave or flexible hours to make it to their medical appointments.

Socioeconomic factors can also affect a person’s ability to maintain healthy habits. Healthy foods, safe places to exercise and opportunities to reduce stress are not equally available to everyone. People experiencing financial stress may have to focus on meeting basic needs instead of things such as preventative care and physical health.

Sunsplash. Photo by Susan G. Komen

Overall, socioeconomic status can have a significant impact on cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and survival. Cancer is not only a medical issue because it is also connected to social and economic conditions. Reducing these disparities will require improving access to affordable healthcare, cancer screenings, health education, transportation, and treatment. Everyone should have a fair opportunity to prevent, detect, and treat cancer regardless of their income or where they live.