One in eight people with advanced cancer decided against the recommended treatment due to cost, a new poll finds.

Among patients with incomes below $40,000, one in four in advanced stages of the disease elected not to receive the care prescribed by doctors — again, because of high costs.

That is according to an analysis by Thomson Reuters, which provides news and business information, reported in USA Today.

The online survey of 1,767 people matched results of a 2006 study in Cancer magazine which found that 20 percent of all cancer survivors postpone or skip needed care.

As medical costs escalate, insurance companies are asking patients to pay more. It is not unusual now for patients to pay 20 percent of their health care, the newspaper reported.

Thus, almost one in five Americans have difficulty paying their medical bills, according to the Center for Studying Health System Change.

A 2006 USA Today survey of cancer survivors discovered that one in four patients or their families said they went through all or most of their savings to pay for treatment. One in 10 said they could not afford basic necessities such as food, heat and housing as they fought the disease.

Charities are feeling the crunch. Requests for financial assistance increased 30 percent this summer over last at CancerCare, which helps cancer patients with social work and transportation expenses.

The cost of cancer care has risen steadily in recent years, placing greater burden on patients and their families. The idea that some patients will refuse treatment because they cannot afford it is a disturbing reality.