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What Is The Average Cost Of Breast Cancer Treatment

Average Breast Cancer Treatment Options Can Vary By 121% Depending On The Stage Of Cancer

How much it costs to beat breast cancer

The stage of breast cancer a person may have is crucial to making treatment decisions and determining financial costs. The latter stages of breast cancer will on average require a more aggressive treatment option and cost significantly more. According to a study published via the National Center for Biotechnology Information , a stage 4 breast cancer patient could expect to pay 64% more for treatment, surgery and hospital care compared with a stage 1 or 2 patient.

Stage of breast cancer
$4,480 $7,660

Breast cancer stages refer to the cancers extent and are crucial to evaluating what type of treatment should be administered. If theres been more spread, the cancer is classified as a later stage and requires more treatment.

For example, a stage 0 breast cancer diagnosis means that the cancer is limited to the milk duct and is noninvasive. On the other hand, stage 4 breast cancer, also known as metastatic breast cancer, means the cancer has spread to other parts of the body outside of the breasts.

The Procedure Of Breast Cancer Treatment

For treating breast cancer oncologists follow a thorough strategy. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy, and biological treatment are performed for treating breast cancer.

The success of this treatment is dependent upon several factors such as the kind of breast cancer, its grade, and stage, the sensitivity of these cancer cells to hormones, the general wellness of the individual, and also the era of the individual

How Can You Prepare Yourself For The Treatment Of Breast Cancer

Ok, so now that you understand what are the treatment options for breast cancer and what should you expect after it, you need to prepare yourself for the treatment. How do you do that?

  • The first and foremost thing that you need to do is keep yourself well informed about breast cancer, this improves your quality of life as this can make the disease seem less mysterious and frightening. Information from your doctor and other credible sources can be very helpful in this respect.
  • When a person is diagnosed with breast cancer it hurts their emotional state, so you need to prepare yourself mentally and emotionally. This can be done by being transparent with your family and friends about how you feel, the problems you have been facing so they can help you cope with your problems and uplift you emotionally. And if you are a peer or a family member of the patient, you must support them at all times by listening to them patiently as they are emotionally compromised.
  • You can avail services of a counsellor or attend group therapies consisting of people sharing their past experiences of how they dealt with breast cancer.
  • Next, you need to write down your queries, problems, any new symptoms and physical changes, medications, past medical reports and other important things that will help you to clearly express yourself to the doctor.

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Basic Symptoms Of The Disease

  • A massive bulge from the breastfeeding
  • The breasts have shifted their size of contour lately
  • The breast skin has grown dimples or the breast cells have deciphered
  • The Place of the breast has inverted
  • Rashes or pigmentation Begin to grow on the eyebrow
  • Irregular fluid release is observed in the nipples
  • You May feel lumps or swelling in the eyebrow
  • Theres abnormal pain or distress in the breasts which does not go away.

    Breast Cancer Treatment Cost in India
    • Breast Cancer Surgical Treatment Price
    • PET Scan
    Procedure

    Breast Cancer Treatment Cost In India

    Can you bear the cost of cancer treatment? Find out how to ...
    Oncology and Oncosurgery
    Breast Cancer Treatment Cost in India
    • The average cost of Breast Cancer Treatment in India varies from 2000-7000 USD.
    • The price is based upon the kind of therapy and period of the disease.
    • The patient must be there for 3 days in the hospital and 15 days away from the hospital.
    • Tests used to diagnose breast Cancer comprise Mammogram, Breast Assessment, Breast augmentation, Biopsy, PET scan, and MRI.

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    The Benefits Of Using Proven Strategies

    More breast cancer screening would:

    • REDUCE deaths. Compared to no screening, screening every 2 years reduces breast cancer deaths by 26% for every 1,000 women screened.4
    • INCREASE life expectancy. Women who are screened every 2 years can expect to live 1.4 months longer than women who are not screened.4
    • the number of women diagnosed with late-stage cancer. Screening has contributed to a 29% reduction in the number of women diagnosed with breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.5
    • INCREASE 5-year survival rates. Almost 99% of women diagnosed with breast cancer at the earliest stage live for 5 years or more, compared to about 27% of those diagnosed at the most advanced stage.2
    • SAVE money. Breast cancers diagnosed at an early stage are much less expensive to treat than those diagnosed at a late stage.6,7

    About 5.3% of US women aged 40 to 64 were eligible for NBCCEDP breast cancer screening services during 20162017. The program was able to serve 15% of eligible women during this time.8

    Even Tougher For Women Of Color

    Women of color with breast cancer often have worse experiences their white counterparts. Not only do African-American women have poorer health outcomes compared with whites, generally, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , they also have greater financial toxicity.

    Data from the Carolina Breast Cancer Study found that black women diagnosed with breast cancer experience a significantly worse financial impact than their white counterparts.

    People don’t necessarily realize the implications of a medical diagnosis such as cancer that it’s an ongoing illness thing to be managed, and there are all these other pieces of your life that are affected, says Hertler.

    Even for middle-class breast cancer patients with insurance, costs can become all consuming.

    Every three months, someone is poking around with my breasts, and I’m not complaining, says Joan Beder, 75, a 16-year survivor. The Westbury, N.Y., resident gets a breast MRI every year, which could easily cost upwards of $3,000 per visit without insurance.

    I can afford it because I have good health insurance. But if I were not comfortably situated, forget it, says Beder, a professor at Stony Brook University and Yeshiva University in New York.

    Its just things you never anticipated, youre so busy focusing on getting well, Delnick says. In the meantime, you’re spending all this other money to save your life, but if you had any kind of savings, its gone.

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    Get Ready To Work With Your Health Insurance Company

    Youre going to be using your insurance often, which means youll want to know who to talk to, which questions to ask, and how to get the support you need. We have a few suggestions to get you started.

    • Save a copy of your plans Summary of Benefits and Coverage . An SBC provides your plan basics like how much doctor visits will cost and is a good starting point when determining which care you would like to receive. You can request this from your insurance company, or simply Google SBC.

    • Get to know your insurance companys website. Most insurers have tools that help you find in-network doctors, locate pharmacies, estimate costs, pay bills, and track your annual health care spending. Spend some time setting up your account and locating these tools so you can put them to work.

    • Ask for a case manager. Your insurer can often assign a single person to help you coordinate your many medical claims. Case managers are good resources to ask questions such as:

    • Will I be covered for out-of-network care?

    • Do I need a referral to see a specialist?

    • Is this doctor or prescription covered by my plan?

    • Do I need pre-approval for certain treatments?

  • Keep good records. Paperwork may seem old-fashioned, but it can come in handy . Make sure you file away:

  • In Some Practices Financial Discussions Are Built In And More Need To Adopt This Process

    What Does Cancer Cost the Patient and the Family: A Cost of Care Analysis

    Fischer said that he typically focuses on patient-centric aspects of breast cancer care with respect to diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.

    We will recommend specific treatment protocol, said Fischer. Then a nurse will have a separate appointment with the patient to review the protocol and specific supportive care aspects of the protocol. Then they segue into financial care.

    Fischer said that once the protocol is submitted to the insurer, the practices financial counselors talk to patients regarding their projected responsibilities.

    We have a whole financial team. Theyre far savvier than physicians when it comes to which programs benefit which patients. It has a lot to do with which treatments will be used, he said.

    Weber said that there used to be a line in the sand between the financial people and the care being provided, but their relationship with one another has evolved.

    The doctors were very driven to get patients into care as quickly as possible. They felt the process of obtaining authorization was slowing their ability to treat patients. We had to get our doctors to understand that concerns about the financial impact of this disease can outweigh actual treatment of the disease, she explained.

    Weber said doctors have begun to tune in to this reality.

    Were now working in partnership. The doctors really try to raise a flag if they see something we can do. Theyre not just tuned in to the physical piece, but the emotional piece .

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    Where To Learn More About Managing The Costs Of Your Cancer Treatment

    American Society of Clinical Oncology Web site: www.cancer.net

    Has a special section for patients on the costs of cancer care, including a booklet on managing the cost of cancer care in English and Spanish.

    Patient Access Network Foundation Toll-free number: 1-866-316-7263

    Helps under-insured patients with certain cancer diagnoses cover out-of-pocket costs related to cancer care.

    Patient Advocate Foundation Website: www.patientadvocate.org

    Works with the patient and their insurer to resolve insurance problems also provides direct financial support to insured patients who are financially and medically qualified for drug treatments and/or prescription co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles related to certain cancer diagnoses.

    *Inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement by the American Cancer Society.

    Our specialists are also available to answer your questions. You can reach them by calling 1-800-227-2345.

    How Much Does Breast Cancer Treatment Cost In The Us

    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 its far more common in women. Its estimated that the lifetime chance of a man getting breast cancer is 1 in 1,000, while for women the risk jumps to 1 in 8.

    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 diagnosiswith and without insurance coverage.

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    Survivor Stories: Toll Of Cancer Costs

    An increasing number of studies show how unaffordable medical bills can impact a persons health as much as the biological effects of cancer treatments. Researchers call this financial toxicity.

    The high costs of cancer treatments add distress, hardships and burden to a patient and their family. Out-of-pocket costs not only deplete checking and saving accounts but also can dictate treatment decisions.

    These stories showcase how cancer can alter a persons financial future.

    Estimated Chemotherapy Costs Of By Cancer Type

    Doubling of cancer treatment costs is unsustainable

    There are many types of cancer, and each of them has specific chemotherapy needs. They vary based on the type of drugs given to a cancer patient and the treatments duration, and the also differ in terms of costs. Aside from that, factors like patients age, other prevailing health issues, the family history, and records of previous chemotherapy sessions also affect the overall expenses of the treatment.

    According to the NationalCancerInstituteviaNerdWallet, patients with brain cancer have the highest chemotherapy cost, which averages around $108,000 for the first after the diagnosis in women and over $115,000 for male cancer patients.

    Meanwhile, the treatment of melanoma or skin cancer has an average cost of $5,000 and $5,400 for women and women, respectively, in the first year after the diagnosis of the disease. The figures already include the medical drugs. Other average costs include:

    colon cancer $46,000

    genitourinary system cancer $8,900 to $19,600

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    Millions Of Dollars Could Be Saved

    Scaling up the data, the researchers delved into Medicare data for all women with breast cancer over the age of 50 and who were eligible to receive a reduced radiation course.

    They concluded that the overall cost of treatment in the U.S. was around $420 million in 2011. If these women had been treated using the alternative approaches that are backed by research, the cost could have been lowered to $256 million, a saving of $164 million.

    Of course, high-quality care is the priority in cancer treatment, but our study suggests that utilization of evidence-based radiation treatment can translate into reductions in healthcare spending without sacrificing quality, Greenup said.

    Aside from the reduction in cost, a shorter radiation course would be better for patients, the researchers concluded.

    The women being treated would not be required to make as many hospital visits, and potentially lose out on work and family time, but they would still receive the best possible care.

    The study is guaranteed to spark debate. There are, however, shortfalls in the research, as the authors make clear.

    For instance, Medicare data were used to assess costs, but insurance data would have been more accurate. Those figures were not available to the researchers.

    Despite these shortfalls, the research highlights an area where substantial savings could be made without jeopardizing levels of patient care, Greenup said.

    Is Breast Cancer Treatment Covered By Insurance

    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.

    One patient noted that her initial bill was $200,000, 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.

    Whether youre covered by insurance or not, early detection can significantly decrease costs. A study published by American Health & Drug Benefits 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:

    • Stage 0 breast cancer cost: $60,637
    • Stage I/II breast cancer cost: $82,121
    • Stage III breast cancer cost: $129,387
    • Stage IV breast cancer cost: $134,682
    • Average breast cancer cost for all stages: $85,772

    Early detection helps to offset your medical costs to a significant extent and also gives you a better chance at overcoming your diagnosis. Women age 40 or older should have a mammogram every year. High-risk women should begin this preventative measure at age 30.

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    Cost Of Chemotherapy With Insurance

    Generally, the cost of chemotherapy is so high that a number of people diagnosed with cancer find it difficult to cover the expenses. But considering that cancer is a health problem, health insurance policies will definitely cover the chemotherapy, resulting in discounted costs for the needed treatment.

    For patients with a health insurance, the out-of-pocket chemotherapy fees usually consist of visits to the physician or surgeon and laboratory costs. It also includes a prescription drug coinsurance of 10 to 15 percent, depending on the patients insurance plan and whether the treatment is in the form of pills, administered through IV, or other types of methods.

    If you dont have any health insurance, there are other ways to get discounts. Hospitals offer 20 to 30 percent discount or higher to patients who pay in cash. There are also charitable organizations that sponsor cancer patients who dont have enough resources to spare for the needed treatments.

    Annualized Mean Net Costs Of Care Per Patient

    Survival Rate and Treatment for Breast Cancer Recurrence

    Annualized Mean Net Costs of Care by Age, Gender and Phase of Care . Costs in 2010 US Dollars.

    Last Year of Life1
    Sex
    25,800

    Note: All estimates adjusted for patient deductibles and coinsurance expenses

  • Phases of care: Initial year after diagnosis, Last year of life, and the period between . Months of survival are first applied to last year of life, any remaining to initial phase, then to continuing.
  • Cancer death: death from any cancer
  • Non-cancer death: death from causes other than cancer
  • This site is based on a study that estimates and projects the national cost of cancer care through the year 2020 separately for multiple cancer sites using the most recent available U.S. population projections, cancer incidence, survival, and cost of care data. More information about the methods, data sources and assumptions in: Mariotto AB, Yabroff KR, Shao Y, Feuer EJ, Brown ML. Projections of the Cost of Cancer Care in the U.S.: 2010-2020. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2011 Jan.

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    Heres How Old School Investing May Just Protect Your Retirement

    It doesn’t take long to exhaust savings when you have a chronic illness, and that’s really what cancer has become, says Dr. Andrew Hertler, an oncologist and chief medical officer of New Century Health in Brea, Calif. We do much better, people are living much longer, but that care is chronic care. And it can be expensive, not just for a short period of time but over a very long period of time.

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