{"id":2265,"date":"2017-11-21T18:49:12","date_gmt":"2017-11-21T23:49:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=2265"},"modified":"2020-07-29T12:20:28","modified_gmt":"2020-07-29T16:20:28","slug":"breast-cancer-treatment-cost-u-s","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/breast-cancer-treatment-cost-u-s\/","title":{"rendered":"How much does breast cancer treatment cost in the U.S.?"},"content":{"rendered":"

A breast cancer diagnosis is devastating news for anyone, no matter their age, financial status, or even gender. Men and women can develop breast cancer, even though it\u2019s far more common in women. It\u2019s estimated that <\/span>the lifetime chance of a man getting breast cancer is 1 in 1,000<\/span><\/a>, while <\/span>for women the risk jumps to 1 in 8<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

No matter how high or low your chances are, breast cancer is a life-changing event that can test your resolve, challenge your body, and drain your bank account. Breast cancer treatment is expensive. These are the costs you may face after a diagnosis\u2014with and without insurance coverage.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the average cost of breast cancer treatment?<\/b><\/h2>\n

All in all, the <\/span>average cost<\/span><\/a> of breast cancer is estimated to be $20,000 to $100,000. It varies widely because every<\/span> fight against breast cancer is different\u2014depending on when it\u2019s detected and how far it has progressed. In many instances, a diagnosis will start you on a course of regular expenses that include office visits, lab work, and prescription medication. While it\u2019s commonly thought that chemotherapy is the most expensive part of treatment, it can be shocking to learn just how much cancer medication costs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Without insurance, <\/span>Lynparza<\/span><\/a> (a prescription used to treat breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body) costs $156,000 per year. Sadly, this figure is the norm rather than the exception, and the huge expense is <\/span>leading patients to skip or completely forego treatment<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Medication is only part of the problem. Many who are diagnosed in later stages need chemotherapy. Again, the costs can vary considerably, but <\/span>a basic round of chemo can cost $10,000 to $100,000 or more<\/span><\/a>. Additionally, many people need medication and chemotherapy at the same time. The additional cost of <\/span>Herceptin<\/span><\/a>, commonly prescribed alongside chemo, drives the price of treatment to over $160,000.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some women need a mastectomy to treat breast cancer. This surgery is expensive on its own, and is frequently paired with chemotherapy. On average, <\/span>the procedure costs about $13,000<\/span><\/a>, which does not include any sort of reconstruction. <\/span>Breast reconstruction after a mastectomy<\/span><\/a> adds anywhere from $5,000 to $8,000 to the total price, depending on the surgeon.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is breast cancer treatment covered by insurance?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Health insurance is the best way to pay for breast cancer treatment costs. Your coverage will eliminate many of the bills, and can even work with providers to negotiate a lower total amount due.<\/span><\/p>\n

One patient noted that her initial bill was $200,000<\/span><\/a>, yet her insurance company was able to pay only $60,000. Due to a generous health plan provided by her employer, she ended up owing only $3,000 out of pocket.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re covered by insurance or not, early detection can significantly decrease costs. <\/span>A study published by <\/span>American Health & Drug Benefits<\/span><\/i><\/a> compared insurance claims from various women who had undergone breast cancer treatment and found some startling results. The average costs of breast cancer treatment within the first year after receiving a diagnosis were as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n