title: Health status, use of healthcare, and socio-economic implications of cancer survivorship in Portugal: results from the Fourth National Health Survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Understanding the morbidity and socio-economic implications of cancer survivorship is essential for a comprehensive management of oncological diseases. We compared cancer survivors (CS) with the general population regarding health status, use of healthcare resources and socio-economic condition.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed data from a representative sample of the Portuguese population aged ≥15 years (n = 35,229). We defined three groups of CS, according to the time since diagnosis and the latest cancer treatment: CS 1 diagnosis within 12 months of interview; CS 2 diagnosis more than 12 months before and treatment in the previous 12 months; CS 3 diagnosis and treatment more than 12 months before. These were compared with the general population, adjusting for differences in sex, age, and place of residence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of CS was 2.2% (CS 1: 0.2%; CS 2: 0.9%, CS 3: 1.1%). Self-perceived health status was worse among CS and short-time incapacity more frequent among CS 1 and CS 2. Health expenses were higher in the early stages of survivorship. Lower household income and financial difficulties were more frequent in CS 1 and CS 3 men, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study confirmed the higher consumption of healthcare resources and worse financial situation among CS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study provides valuable information for understanding the global impact of cancer survivorship.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Predictive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Al. Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Luís
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pacheco-Figueiredo
authors.forename: Nuno
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lunet
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality*; D011174:Portugal; D012923:Social Class; D017741:Survivors; D055815:Young Adult