Disparities in Palliative Care Receipt Among Young Adults Newly Diagnosed with Advanced Cancer
An ASCO meeting abstract published in JCO Oncology Practice aimed to examine the receipt of palliative care and systemic treatment among young adults who were recently diagnosed with a cancer with advanced cancer. Researchers found that while palliative care use among patients ages 18–39 with advanced cancer has increased over the past decade, it remains low—rising from 2.1% in 2010 to just 4.1% in 2022, highlighting unmet needs for symptom management. Additionally, patients treated at safety-net or NCI-designated cancer centers were more likely to receive palliative care, but access and concurrent treatment varied by insurance status and facility type.