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The Impact of Marital Status and Employment Disruption on Food Insecurity Among a National Sample of Cancer Survivors

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence suggests that financial toxicity may be associated with a greater likelihood of experiencing food insecurity in cancer survivors. Although marital status is an established correlate of food insecurity in the general population, its role among cancer survivors remains understudied. The objective of this study was to examine the association between the likelihood of food insecurity and employment disruption and marital status in a national sample of cancer survivors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the 2016-2017 panels of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) Experiences with Cancer Survivorship Supplement. Marital status was categorized as married, formerly married, or never married, and employment status was categorized according to full employment following cancer diagnosis, no employment at time of diagnosis, or employment disruption. Weighted logistic regression models were constructed to evaluate the association between marital status, employment status, and food insecurity. RESULTS: Survivors experiencing employment disruption had higher odds of food insecurity compared with those who retained full employment (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.46; p = 0.005). Formerly married (aOR = 2.14; p = 0.003) and never-married survivors (aOR = 2.52; p = 0.014) also had higher odds of food insecurity compared with married survivors. CONCLUSION: Cancer survivors who are unmarried and experience employment disruption have a higher likelihood of experiencing food insecurity.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.117334