Impact of Income on Physical Concerns, Help Seeking, and Unmet Needs of Adult Cancer Survivors

Abstract

Purpose: Cancer treatment can have consequences for individuals which may have profound impact on daily living. Accessing assistance can be problematic. This study explores associations between income and concerns, help-seeking, and unmet needs related to physical changes following cancer treatment. Method: A national survey was conducted with cancer survivors about experiences with follow-up care one to three years after treatment. We report a trend analysis describing associations between income and cancer survivors’ concerns, help-seeking, and unmet needs related to physical changes after treatment. Results: In total 5,283 cancer survivors between 18 and 64 years responded, of which 4,264 (80.7%) indicated annual household income. The majority of respondents were survivors of breast (34.4%), colorectal (15.0%), and prostate (14.0%) cancers. Over 90% wrote about experiencing physical changes following cancer treatment. Survivors with low annual household incomes of less than $25,000 (CAN) reported the highest levels of concern about multiple physical changes and were more likely to seek help to address them. Conclusions: Cancer survivors can experience various physical challenges and unmet needs following cancer treatment and difficulty obtaining relevant help across all income levels. Those with low income are more severely affected. Financial assessment and tailored follow-up are recommended.