Historical Context of Cancer Disparities 

Why is this happening?

 In the U.S. the root cause is not only the social, economic, and environmental factors that may lead to one’s diagnosis and treatment of cancer, but also the system we have set in place, in particular those who modified the system for financial gain. In the creation of the healthcare system in the U.S., the main goal was to provide equal and accessible healthcare for all, but as time went on, and technology advanced, hospitals began to partner with private payers, hospital corporations, and pharmaceutical companies to improve the quality of treatment given to patients. Although in theory this was done to better the patient outcomes, individuals who were able to fully reap the benefits of these advancements were slim, and individuals struggling socially or financially did not have access to this same treatment, leading to a difference in patient outcomes for those battling cancer. 

The chart above demonstrates how a variety of factors in an individual's life can lead to health disparities. These health disparities occur when the healthcare system discriminates against groups of people by choosing who will have a higher survival rate solely based on conditions out of their control. In terms of the data that supports these disparities, a study focusing on the 5-year survival rates of specific cancers in New Jersey depends on the health insurance status of the patients. In the study, it was found that patients between the ages 18-64 with breast, colorectal, lung, prostate, or NHL( Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma), without health care insurance, had a higher risk of death by 41%-97% within a five-year diagnosis compared to those with private insurance. The study also found that patients with the same type of cancer with Medicaid compared to those with private healthcare insurance,  also had significantly higher risks of dying within five years of their diagnosis by 21%- 198%. A recent study also showed that patients insured through Medicaid after their diagnosis had a higher mortality rate compared to patients insured through Medicaid before their diagnosis. This is due to patients with Medicaid before their diagnosis are more likely to receive screening mammography and be diagnosed at an earlier stage.