The availability of insurance to long‐time survivors of childhood cancer

Abstract

The authors identified 100 adults who survived cancer who were diagnosed and treated in childhood between 1945 and 1975. Using standardized interviews, each survivor and matched same‐sex sibling was asked about life and health including questions about insurance. Compared with their same‐sex siblings, childhood cancer survivors had significantly more difficulty in securing life insurance (P < 0.001), in having life insurance in force (P < 0.004), and in obtaining health insurance because of health reasons (P < 0.001). Survivors were significantly less likely than siblings to be covered by health insurance (P < 0.04). Cure of childhood cancer has become more common, allowing thousands of survivors to enter adult life. This study suggests that childhood cancer survivors have an unmet need in respect to life and health insurance. Copyright © 1986 American Cancer Society