New Study Reveals an Unequal Burden for Younger Cancer Survivors

For the growing population of young adults who survive a cancer diagnosis, the challenges often do not end with their final treatment. A new study reveals that survivors between the ages of 18 and 39 are significantly more likely than their peers to face substantial social and economic instability, including difficulty securing stable housing and affording food.

The findings, presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities, point to a stark reality: surviving cancer as a young adult can heighten one’s vulnerability to insecurities that threaten their overall well-being. The research suggests that while a cancer diagnosis is a formidable health crisis, the aftermath can trigger profound difficulties in meeting life’s basic needs.

Ami E. Sedani of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, who presented the study, investigated a range of social risks, including insecurity related to housing, food, utilities, and transportation, as well as the ability to afford healthcare. The research also examined psychosocial challenges such as life dissatisfaction and social isolation.

Analyzing data from more than 472,000 U.S. adults surveyed between 2022 and 2023, researchers found a distinct pattern. Among those aged 18 to 39, cancer survivors experienced housing insecurity at a rate 9.4 percentage points higher than their peers who had never had cancer. Similarly, food insecurity was 7.2 percentage points higher for these young survivors.

Notably, these elevated risks appeared to be concentrated in the youngest cohort of survivors. The study found that the disparities disappeared in middle-aged survivors, and for those 65 and older, individuals without a cancer history were actually slightly more likely to experience social risks than survivors in the same age group.

“Because surviving cancer involves many stressors, one might expect that all cancer survivors, regardless of age, could experience greater social risks than people without cancer histories,” Ms. Sedani stated. “Instead, we found that elevated social risks for cancer survivors clustered around young adults.”

The study also highlighted that within this already vulnerable group, young adult survivors who belonged to racial and ethnic minority groups experienced the highest prevalence of every social risk factor measured when compared with their non-Hispanic white peers.

According to Ms. Sedani, the findings may reflect broader gaps in the social safety net for younger Americans. Challenges such as financial strain from housing and childcare costs, unstable employment, limited health insurance, and the difficulty of navigating complex healthcare systems can compound the difficulties of recovering from a serious illness.

The data also pointed to the potential impact of public policy. Young adult survivors residing in states that had not expanded Medicaid were found to face higher levels of food, housing, and utility insecurity.

The research underscores the need to look beyond medical follow-ups and consider the holistic well-being of this growing population. “The results highlight the importance of considering age when examining survivorship disparities,” Ms. Sedani concluded, pointing to the need for policies and programs that strengthen social and economic support for young adult cancer survivors to help foster more equitable health outcomes.

‍This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.

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Source: https://www.aacr.org/about-the-aacr/newsroom/news-releases/young-adult-cancer-survivors-may-face-elevated-social-risks/

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