WEDNESDAY, June 9, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- Barriers to health care access, especially cost, are associated with increased odds of not having an annual physician skin examination (PSE) among young melanoma survivors, according to a research letter published online June 9 in JAMA Dermatology.
Katherine Y. Wojcik, Ph.D., from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, and colleagues examined barriers to annual PSEs among 128 young melanoma survivors (age ≤24 years at diagnosis in 1996 to 2010). Participants were asked when their last PSE occurred and what barriers to health care access they had experienced in the previous year.
The researchers found that 36 percent of participants had not received a PSE in the previous year; the likelihood of receiving a PSE was lower for Hispanic participants and those with lower socioeconomic status. Twenty-three percent of participants identified at least one barrier to accessing health services; the likelihood of having barriers was increased for survivors without PSEs versus those with PSEs (40 versus 15 percent). The most frequent barriers were financial in the total population (15 percent) and in those without versus with PSEs (30 versus 5 percent). Ten of the 15 participants who reported "it cost too much" as a barrier had no health insurance. Barriers correlated with 3.45-fold increased odds of no annual PSE.
"Owing to cost-related barriers, young melanoma survivors could benefit from patient navigation services addressing insurance issues and financial resources to improve access to annual PSEs," the authors write.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
- Relatlimab-Nivolumab Ups PFS in Untreated Advanced Melanoma - Consumer Health News | HealthDay ›
- Knowledge of High Skin Cancer Risk Might Modify Risky Behaviors - Consumer Health News | HealthDay ›
- Debt Valuation of Private Equity-Backed Dermatology Groups Down - Consumer Health News | HealthDay ›
- Update Shows Relatlimab + Nivolumab Slows Advanced Melanoma - Consumer Health News | HealthDay ›
- Global Burden of Melanoma Considerable, Set to Rise by 2040 - Consumer Health News | HealthDay ›
- Primary Care-Based Screening Ups Thin Melanoma Detection - Consumer Health News | HealthDay ›
- ASCO: Desmoplastic Melanoma Responds to Neoadjuvant Pembrolizumab - Consumer Health News | HealthDay ›
- Higher Fish Intake May Increase Melanoma Risk - Consumer Health News | HealthDay ›
- 2013 to 2017 Saw Significant Drop in U.S. Melanoma Mortality Rates - Consumer Health News | HealthDay ›
- MPATH-Dx Version 2.0 Simplifies Classification of Melanoma - Consumer Health News | HealthDay ›
- Regular Use of Vitamin D Linked to Fewer Melanoma Cases - Consumer Health News | HealthDay ›
- AAD: Risk for Skin Cancer Higher for Adults With Atopic Dermatitis - Consumer Health News | HealthDay ›
- Risk for Melanoma Reduced for Individuals With Atopy - Consumer Health News | HealthDay ›
- USPSTF: Evidence Lacking for Screening Asymptomatic Patients for Skin Cancer - Consumer Health News | HealthDay ›