A new study has established a direct link between a decline in a cancer patient’s credit score and their risk of dying. The research, which is the first to objectively connect financial health to survival rates, found that patients whose credit scores dropped significantly after their diagnosis had a higher mortality risk. The findings were presented at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2025.
The study analyzed over 42,000 cancer patients in Massachusetts, a state with one of the highest rates of health insurance coverage in the U.S. Researchers found that 8.5% of patients experienced “financial toxicity,” defined as a credit score falling below 600 within 1.5 years of their diagnosis. Another 3% had already reached this level of financial distress at the time of their diagnosis. The study’s authors suggest that these findings likely underrepresent the severity of the problem in other states with lower insurance coverage rates.
Study Methodology and Key Findings
Researchers merged data from the Massachusetts Cancer Registry with credit bureau data from 2010 to 2019 to analyze a cohort of 42,451 patients. The study’s lead author, Dr. Benjamin C. James, an associate professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School, stated that the research provides a new data point for healthcare providers to intervene and potentially improve patient outcomes. The study categorized patients into different credit score tiers to track the impact of changes in their financial status on their health.
The Mortality Connection
The study revealed a stark correlation between a drop in credit score and an increased risk of death. Patients who experienced a two-tier decline in their credit score within a year of their diagnosis were 29% more likely to die. The risk was even more pronounced in the short term, with a two-tier drop in any six-month period after diagnosis increasing the odds of death by 63%. A one-tier decline in the same period raised the mortality risk by 12%. Interestingly, an improvement in a patient’s credit score was not found to have a protective effect.
High-Risk Demographics
The study identified several demographic groups that were at a higher risk of developing financial toxicity. Younger patients, between the ages of 21 and 44, and individuals of Black or Hispanic race were more likely to experience a significant drop in their credit scores. These findings highlight the vulnerability of certain populations to the financial strain of a cancer diagnosis.
Socioeconomic Factors and Financial Strain
In addition to demographic factors, the study also pointed to several socioeconomic indicators that increased the risk of financial toxicity. Patients who were separated or divorced, had less than a college education, were current smokers, had public insurance, or lived in high-poverty areas were all at a greater risk. The study used the Area Deprivation Index to identify neighborhoods with poverty rates exceeding 5%.
The Impact of Income
Income level was found to be a major predictor of financial toxicity. Patients with an annual income below $30,000 had 3.66 times higher odds of experiencing a significant drop in their credit score compared to those earning between $50,000 and $69,000. This finding underscores the immense financial burden that a cancer diagnosis can place on low-income individuals and families.
Implications for Patient Care
Dr. James emphasized that the study’s findings go beyond the stress associated with financial hardship, suggesting that financial toxicity can have a direct and fatal impact on patients’ health. He noted that while previous research has shown disparities in access to care based on socioeconomic status, this study provides evidence of an adverse clinical outcome as a direct result of financial strain. The authors hope that these findings will encourage healthcare providers to consider the financial well-being of their patients as a critical component of their overall care.
The Broader Context of Medical Debt
The study adds to a growing body of research on the far-reaching consequences of medical debt and financial toxicity in cancer patients. Previous studies have highlighted the lasting financial challenges that cancer survivors face, with many reporting difficulties in paying medical bills and managing debt long after their treatment has ended. The new research provides a more direct link between these financial struggles and the ultimate health outcome for patients.
A Call for Intervention
The study’s findings suggest a need for greater support systems to help cancer patients navigate the financial challenges of their treatment. This could include financial counseling, assistance with insurance coverage, and programs to help patients manage their medical bills. By addressing the financial toxicity associated with a cancer diagnosis, healthcare providers may be able to improve not only their patients’ financial well-being but also their chances of survival.