Insurance remains a major source of disparity for patients with testicular cancer: call for advocacy

Objective: To evaluate the effects of socioeconomic factors, including insurance status, on treatment and survival for patients with testicular cancer.

Patients and methods: We extracted a retrospective cohort from the National Cancer Database that included patients diagnosed with testicular cancer 2004-2020. Competing-risks and Cox regression multivariate models including demographic, pathological, and socioeconomic covariates were constructed to evaluate receipt of treatment and death, respectively.

Results: A total of 95 955 patients with testicular cancer were identified. Compared with private insurance, Medicaid (sub-distribution hazard ratio [SHR] 0.70, P < 0.001), Medicare (SHR 0.73, P < 0.001), and uninsured (SHR 0.72, P < 0.001) patients were associated with decreased likelihood of receiving chemotherapy. Compared with private insurance, Medicaid (SHR 0.55, P < 0.001), Medicare (SHR 0.76, P-value <0.001), uninsured (SHR 0.63, P-value < 0.001), and other government insurance (SHR 0.71, P = 0.010) was associated with decreased likelihood of receiving radiation. Medicaid insurance status (reference private, HR 2.60, P < 0.001) conferred the second largest hazard of death, behind having Stage III disease (reference Stage 0). Compared with private insurance, Medicare (HR 2.20, P < 0.001), no insurance (HR 2.32, P < 0.001), and other government insurance (HR 1.53, P = 0.027) statuses had higher risk of death. Patients diagnosed in Medicaid-expansion states had lower all-cause mortality (11.4% vs 13.6%, P < 0.001).

Conclusions: Testicular cancer care relies on early diagnosis and treatment. It is critically important to have a healthcare system where individuals have access to insurance and are served equitably.