Investigators from Cancer Council of Victoria Have Reported New Data on Colon Cancer (Discussions With Patients About Referral Pathways and Costs In the Diagnosis and Treatment of Colorectal Cancer In Victoria, Australia): Oncology – Colon Cancer

2024 MAY 10 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Daily News -- A new study on Oncology - Colon Cancer is now available. According to news originating from Melbourne, Australia, by NewsRx correspondents, research stated, “Colorectal cancer (CRC) survival in Australia differs by health insurance status, but why this occurs is uncertain. There are growing concerns about out-of-pocket healthcare costs.”

Financial supporters for this research include Victorian Cancer Agency Early Career Research Fellowship, National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia.

Our news journalists obtained a quote from the research from the Cancer Council of Victoria, “We examined patient experiences of referral pathways to diagnosis and treatment of CRC in Victoria, Australia, and discussions about costs, comparing public, private and mixed healthcare system users. Semistructured telephone interviews were conducted with 16 purposively sampled, English-speaking patients aged >= 40 years with CRC. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically. Private patients described greater out-of-pocket expenses balanced by greater choice of provider and access. Public patients perceived limited choice in their diagnostic or treatment provider, although some considered switching systems. Patients trusted their general practitioner or specialist for referrals. Discussions about costs did not meet guideline recommendations.”

According to the news editors, the research concluded: “There are limited opportunities for informed decision making about public versus private care for cancer diagnosis and treatment, which could contribute to inequalities in outcomes.”

This research has been peer-reviewed.

For more information on this research see: Discussions With Patients About Referral Pathways and Costs In the Diagnosis and Treatment of Colorectal Cancer In Victoria, Australia. Australian Journal of General Practice, 2024;53:70-77. Australian Journal of General Practice can be contacted at: Royal Australian College General Practitioners, 1 Palmerston Crescent, South Melbourne, Victoria 3205, Australia.

The news correspondents report that additional information may be obtained from Rebecca J. Bergin, Cancer Council of Victoria, Canc Epidemiol Div, Melbourne, Vic, Australia. Additional authors for this research include Angus Yao-Dong Yu, Victoria White and Jon D. Emery.

(Our reports deliver fact-based news of research and discoveries from around the world.)