Make Oct. the time to give to those in your community struggling through a breast cancer diagnosis

The cost of breast cancer takes a toll on more than just the wallet, it’s the emotional toll!

No one is prepared for a breast cancer diagnosis. Among the many things that can be unexpected and difficult to manage is how much medical treatment and care can cost.

The financial burden placed on people diagnosed with breast cancer and their caregivers is hard to avoid. Thinking about whether insurance will cover treatment, income loss, the stage of cancer, or what treatments to choose based on the care team’s recommendations, can also cause emotional stress.

In addition to the medical costs of breast cancer treatment, there may be costs related to traveling to and from treatment, taking time off from work, treating some side effects (like scalp cooling or wigs for hair loss, for example), and child care that one faces.

Cost of breast cancer treatment

Out of all cancer types, breast cancer has the highest treatment costs. These costs can often be unexpected for people who’ve been diagnosed and their loved ones. Paying for breast cancer treatment usually includes out-of-pocket expenses: costs people must pay by themselves that are not paid for by health insurance.

Out-of-pocket expenses can vary. For example, here are some findings from two separate pieces of research:

One recent study found that 12 years after their diagnosis (stages I-III), women had between $1,000 and $3,300 out-of-pocket care costs per year.

Another study found that women with employer-sponsored insurance, diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, paid $5,800 out of pocket (including premiums, and the monthly costs people pay to have health insurance).

People living with metastatic breast cancer can sometimes have even higher costs.

Most expensive form of cancer

Researchers use the term “financial toxicity” or the term “financial distress” to describe problems related to the costs of healthcare.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, breast cancer has the highest overall treatment cost of any cancer in the U.S. Pam Traxel, senior vice president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, says that this is partly due to great progress in breast cancer survival, so costs continue for many years. Reconstruction may require multiple surgeries; some therapies— especially those for metastatic disease — can cost upward of $18,000 per month.

But help could be coming. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 is a large package of federal laws designed to curb inflation, reduce the deficit, lower prescription drug prices, and promote clean energy production in the U.S. The new prescription drug regulations are rolling out over seven years, beginning in 2024. The exact impact on costs for people living with cancer is not yet clear.

Common expenses of a breast cancer diagnosis

Here are some of the most common expenses for people diagnosed with breast cancer: Copayments and insurance premiums, physical and occupational therapy visits, emergency department visits, surgeries and hospitalizations, lab workups, X-rays, medicines and therapies, and mental health care just to name a few.

The side effects of lymphedema can add more costs. Lymphedema is a condition that can sometimes happen after breast cancer surgery or radiation therapy to the lymph nodes. The disruption to the limp node area can cause fluid to build up in the hand, arm, underarm, breast, or chest wall on the side of the cancer, resulting in swelling, pain, and reduced movement.

The cost of treating lymphedema isn’t always covered by insurance. Treatment may involve specialized physical therapy that can include devices and compression garments to prevent or control swelling, and this can sometimes mean spending extra money on appointments and supplies.

How to pay for treatment

While the cost of treatment can be a challenge for many people, there are resources available.

Healthcare teams can help. Patients diagnosed with breast cancer should talk with their healthcare team about potential costs that could be passed on to them. Learning about treatment costs as early as possible can help avoid surprises and help them plan. The patient should ask their doctor, or hospital social work department about financial counseling and other resources that may be available. Some cancer centers even have staff members whose job it is to help patients plan for costs.

The cost of a cancer diagnosis takes more than a toll on someone’s pocketbook; it takes a toll on a person both, mentally and emotionally. That’s why it’s so important to get help as early as possible.