​Despite a decade of growth, only 10% of Medicare beneficiaries with distant-stage cancer received early palliative care in 2019, according to new research led by ACS investigators. The study also finds differences between individual doctors and hospitals accounted for 30% - 50% of the variation in early palliative care billing, suggesting where patients receive care plays a major role in whether they get guideline-recommended palliative care. The study was published March 7 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO). 

“These findings are disappointing as strong evidence and clinical guidelines support the benefits of early palliative care for these patients,” said Dr. Xuesong Han, scientific director, health services research at ACS and senior author of the study. “Palliative care improves quality of life, reduces suffering, and can even extend survival, yet most patients who would benefit are not receiving it.”

“One of the most striking findings from our study is who treats you and where you receive care may influence access to early palliative care more than a patient’s clinical condition,” added Dr. Xin Hu, a visiting scientist at ACS and lead author of the study. “This underscores the need to minimize systemic and structural barriers, so access to this important treatment is not limited. Fighting cancer should also mean fighting unnecessary suffering.”

Other ACS researchers contributing to this study include Kewei Sylvia Shi, Dr. Zhiyuan Zheng, Dr. Jingxuan Zhao, and Dr. Robin Yabroff.

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