July 30,2012 - A new study of patients with cervical cancer finds one of the biggest reasons people are diagnosed in the late stages is their lack of insurance. Researchers say women without insurance skip screenings that could catch the disease earlier, when it's more curable. One in three cervical cancer patients is diagnosed only after the cancer has spread to nearby organs and one in ten is diagnosed only after the disease has spread to distant organs. The American Cancer Society estimates over 4,000 women will die from cervical cancer this year. Socioeconomic status, race, marital status, and geographic location have all been identified as factors related to late stage at diagnosis among cervical cancer patients.
Also, drugstore chain, Walgreens, agreed Thursday to renew its relationship with drug plan administrator express scripts. Starting September 15th, people with plans through Express Scripts will again be able to get their prescriptions filled at Walgreens. Walgreens says the new deal is a multi-year one, although the companies did not disclose its terms. During the dispute, many rivals of Walgreens, including CVS, filled express scripts prescriptions, capturing business from Walgreens customers. It is estimated that Walgreens lost 113 million dollars as a result.