Socioeconomic Status Determines Survival In NHL

A recent report in a highly reputed journal on Cancer suggests that the socioeconomic status of an individual with NHL in the US can hamper healthcare delivery badly enough to affect his survival.

The treatment and outcomes of more than 13000 Medicare beneficiaries affected by NHL were analyzed at the University of Texas. The results showed that those in the lowest socioeconomic strata were less likely to receive chemotherapy and radiation, the two most important treatments for lymphomas. They were also less likely to be cured or live as long as those receiving treatment.

Other factors may also disadvantage those who are less educated or poor. They could be diagnosed late, in a more advanced stage of lymphoma. They would also be less likely to be compliant for the entire duration of treatmen, due to a relative lack of insurance funding.

It's not an equal world. However, it would certainly help if lack of financial resources did not affect one's chances of getting quality treatments for cancer.

Get more details about this study here