Understanding the Social Needs of Cancer Survivors for Better Outcomes
Addressing social needs like food security and housing is vital for improving health outcomes and quality of life in cancer survivors. Recent studies emphasize the importance of integrated social and medical care to prevent costly health crises.
Recent research highlights the critical importance of addressing social needs—such as access to food, housing, and transportation—in the care of cancer survivors. While medical treatment marks the end of active therapy, many survivors face ongoing challenges that significantly impact their health and quality of life. A scoping review by a team from the University of Pennsylvania, published in Current Oncology Reports, reveals that unmet social needs are widespread among this population, with financial toxicity being particularly prevalent.
This financial burden, linked to the costs of chronic illness management, adversely affects survivors' mental health, adherence to follow-up care, and overall well-being. Moreover, unmet social needs contribute to increased emergency room visits, longer hospital stays, and more advanced health issues upon presentation, as individuals may delay seeking medical care due to financial or social barriers.
Despite these findings, social needs have often been overlooked in survivor care, which tends to focus on psychological adjustment and coping strategies. Experts emphasize that understanding and addressing these needs is essential for improving health outcomes. Efforts are underway to develop interventions, such as providing direct financial support and food security tools, to mitigate these challenges.
For instance, ongoing studies are exploring the effects of monetary assistance and food insecurity assessments to support survivors better. Collaboration across healthcare providers and social services is vital to create a comprehensive approach that reduces costs, prevents avoidable health crises, and promotes long-term wellness.
Ultimately, failing to meet social needs in cancer survivorship can strain healthcare systems and lead to worse health outcomes. Proactively addressing these issues can help survivors thrive beyond their diagnosis and contribute to a more equitable, effective healthcare environment.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-surviving-social-cancer-survivors.html
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