Texas Breast Center Releases Article on The Financial Cost of Breast Cancer

Texas Breast Center in Waxahachie released an article discussing the cost of breast cancer treatment to patients. In the article, The Cost of Breast Cancer Treatment: What are the Contributing Factors? Dr. Valerie Gorman discusses various components that can affect the overall financial burden breast cancer can be.

One of these factors is the kind of treatment, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination. Another factor is the stage of cancer at the time of diagnosis. For example, “for those with stage 0 cancer, the average cost of treatment at twelve months after diagnosis was $60, 637…[while] at stage IV, the most difficult to treat, the average treatment costs were $134,682 at twelve months.”

Breast Cancer Financial Costs

Health insurance is another factor discussed. Having health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid can affect the cost of medications, treatments, and even appointments.

Researchers in North Carolina found that patients who received a cancer diagnosis and did not have insurance or Medicare paid $6,711 for medication, while those with insurance paid $3,616 and those with Medicare paid $3,090 simply because they do not have the means to negotiate for a lower price.

All of these factors come together to cause an average cost of $85,772 per patient within their first year after being diagnosed with breast cancer. The number jumps to $103,735 after the second year. While breast cancer is not something anyone wants, it is something to be prepared for, at least financially, if possible. And your medical team is willing to work with you to meet your needs.

Dr. Valerie J. Gorman, MD, FACS, offers a personalized approach to breast cancer treatment, taking into account all the factors that will affect the cost and your ultimate recovery. She serves as the Chief of Surgery and Medical Director of Surgical Services at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center, and she is board certified by the American Board of Surgery.