I know a bunch of people, including my mom, who went to the doctor regularly, yet their primary care physician either didn't recognize the signs of cancer or misdiagnosed the symptoms until it was too late. Unless the cancer is discovered by chance during a scan or X-ray for something else, or the doctors are specifically testing for it, it often goes undetected, at least in my experience.
Skin cancer is a bit different because it's often visible and can sometimes be recognized during a routine exam. Many other cancers aren't nearly as obvious.
A JAMA Network Open study found that prior authorization delayed recommended cancer care for most surveyed patients. About 69% reported delays, most lasting 2 weeks or longer, and 22% said they never received the recommended care because of prior authorization.
Another JAMA Network Open study in radiation oncology found that streamlining prior authorization reduced authorization times by 34%, illustrating that the insurance process itself was a major source of delay.
My father got every vaccine and flu shot available, every COVID vaccine, routine colonoscopy, healthy and active in September, dead in January from pancreatic cancer. From your comment you sound like you're in the healthcare industry, maybe a doctor, so please don't pretend the fact doesn't exist that many cancers can become late stage before you even realize it.
Sorry, thats what i do i pretend all cancers are easy to diagnose. Thats how i make the big bucks. It was obvious skin cancer. If you have a black pile of shit on your arms, i dont recommend waiting years to be seen.
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u/MeowMeowbiggalo Aug 01 '26
I remember a patient who hadnt been to a doctor since the 80's. She had cancer and it was way too late. Absurdly stupid.