Dr Etame on How Patient Socioeconomic Status Affects Cancer Care

Arnold Etame, MD, PhD, neurological surgeon, scientist, Neuro-Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, associate professor, Oncology, the University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine, discusses the effects of a patient’s socioeconomic status on the cancer treatment options they receive.

When addressing disparities in cancer care, the consideration of socioeconomic status emerges as a factor with far-reaching implications, Etame begins. The societal and economic standing of patients with cancer influences their access to resources and affects their ability to receive care. It's important to acknowledge that patients residing in specific regions may encounter challenges in accessing high-quality resources for cancer treatments because of their socioeconomic status, he states. Notably, the lack of insurance coverage for many cancer treatments diminishes the likelihood of individuals seeking timely medical attention and undergoing routine cancer screenings, Etame says.

Moreover, apart from financial limitations, other barriers come into play, he expands. Some patients find themselves confined to specific health care networks determined by their insurance coverage, which can limit their options for seeking specialized, comprehensive cancer care, Etame emphasizes. This restriction can be seen across different institutions where patients may be prevented from receiving care because of these limitations, he adds.

Addressing these disparities requires a multifaceted approach, Etame continues. Primarily, it is important to strive toward expanding health insurance coverage and aiming to include as many patients as possible within the purview of health care protection. Furthermore, raising awareness about the significance of cancer screenings, particularly for cancers prevalent among specific demographics, is important, Etame says. For instance, the incidence of prostate cancer is highest among African American patients, he explains. Cancer screening awareness campaigns should target communities and emphasize the importance of regular screenings formitigating the effects of cancer, Etame notes. To bridge socioeconomic gaps in cancer care, oncologists must take proactive measures to extend their services into communities of people who have historically been marginalized from health care access, he concludes.