Younger generation cancer patients Worried about financial issues "Need more consideration than other generations" October 14, 4:23
Due to the cost burden, he abandoned treatment and could not consult with medical staff about physical and mental distress.
A fact-finding survey conducted by the National Cancer Center found that the younger generation has more cancer patients with these problems, and the center says that support is especially needed for the younger generation.
Last year, the National Cancer Center conducted a survey of cancer patients treated at 166 medical institutions nationwide about their medical experience and medical treatment life, and received responses from nearly 9,000 people.
As a result, 77.3% of the respondents were satisfied with the treatment they received, and the evaluation of the treatment was relatively high, while 34.9% answered that the doctor in charge explained the second opinion before the start of treatment. It turned out that there is a problem in support such as providing information.
In particular, among patients in their late teens to 30s, who are called the "AYA generation," 11.1% answered that they changed or abandoned treatment due to cost burden, more than double that of 4.9% of the total. 36.2% of the respondents thought they could talk to the medical staff about their physical discomfort, and 22.0% thought they could talk about their mental distress, which were more than 10 points lower than the whole.
It is presumed that the younger generation of cancer patients are in a difficult situation due to financial and medical relationships, and although the number is smaller than that of other generations, consideration is required.
Fumihiko Wakao, director of the Cancer Control Information Center, said, "The lack of support for the AYA generation is an objective fact and needs to be strengthened."