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Cancer

Homeless Individuals at Higher Risk of Cancer and Poorer Outcomes

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

People experiencing homelessness are significantly more vulnerable to developing cancer and face dismal health outcomes compared to their housed counterparts. Research from University Hospital North Tees reveals that this population encounters multiple health disparities, including delayed cancer treatment and reduced access to palliative care. The lack of trust between healthcare providers and homeless individuals exacerbates these challenges, leading to acute presentations, poor quality of life, and inadequate end-of-life care.

Key Takeaways:

  • Homeless individuals are 30% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer and have 25% poorer outcomes than the housed population (BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, 2025).
  • People experiencing homelessness encounter multiple health inequalities, including delayed cancer treatment and reduced access to palliative care (University Hospital North Tees, 2025).
  • A 49-year-old patient with bowel cancer, who was lost to follow-up due to homelessness, presented acutely with metastatic disease, highlighting the consequences of delayed diagnosis and inadequate care (University Hospital North Tees, 2025).
  • The patient's case illustrates the importance of person-centered, compassionate care in addressing the practical issues faced by homeless individuals with cancer (University Hospital North Tees, 2025).
  • A holistic approach to palliative and end-of-life care, which includes delivering care in a place of the patient's choice, can improve the quality of life for homeless individuals with cancer (University Hospital North Tees, 2025).
  • The research emphasizes the need for a trust-based relationship between healthcare providers and homeless individuals to facilitate access to equitable care (University Hospital North Tees, 2025).
  • The BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care journal, where the research was published, is a leading international publication in the field of supportive and palliative care.

Statistics:

  • 30% increased risk of developing cancer among homeless individuals compared to the housed population (BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, 2025).
  • 25% poorer outcomes for homeless individuals with cancer compared to the housed population (BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, 2025).
  • 49 years: the age of the patient with bowel cancer who was lost to follow-up due to homelessness (University Hospital North Tees, 2025).
  • Metastatic disease: the acute presentation of the patient with bowel cancer who was lost to follow-up due to homelessness (University Hospital North Tees, 2025).

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Researchers from University Hospital North Tees Report Details of New Studies and Findings in the Area of Cancer (Equitable Care for Patients With Cancer Experiencing Homelessness). Health & Medicine Week. June 13, 2025; p 6213.
  • BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care. Equitable Care for Patients With Cancer Experiencing Homelessness. 2025.
  • University Hospital North Tees. Case study: A 49-year-old patient with bowel cancer who was lost to follow-up due to homelessness. 2025.

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