About 80% of Ukrainian cancer patients paid for treatment at their own expense, after the beginning of the full-scale invasion 8% of cancer patients moved within the borders of Ukraine, 16% of cancer patients moved abroad.
Such data is given by experts of Global Medical Knowledge Alliance, Inspiration Family, OncoHub and National Cancer Institute, based on the data of the study of the impact of full-scale war in Ukraine on cancer treatment.
According to the study, cancer patients were more likely to pay more for diagnostic tests, surgical treatment and chemotherapy.
Overall waiting times for treatment were longer in frontline regions, and radiotherapy and chemotherapy were more affordable in regions less affected by the war and the influx of internally displaced persons.
In addition, the survey found that 21% of respondents migrated because of the need to continue cancer treatment; 14% left because of the fighting.
The researchers note that despite this, the overall availability of cancer treatment did not change compared to pre-war times, overall wait times for medical care after the start of the full-scale invasion were higher in frontline and active warfare regions.
The survey included 289 patients from all regions of Ukraine who started cancer treatment before the Russian invasion. Of these, 39% of the respondents had stage I or II cancer, 38% – stage II, and 28% – stage IV.
