The Cost of Breast Cancer in the United States

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to focus on the individuals and communities impacted by breast cancer nationwide. Breast cancer affects the lives of many American families. Studies show one in eight women develops breast cancer in their lifetime. While medical professionals advocate for regular screening and early detection, recognizing the cost of breast cancer is essential for American families.

Breast cancer and its treatment costs have a profound impact across individuals, communities, and the economy

A recent study by the National Cancer Institute reported the total annual medical cost in 2020 for breast cancer was $29.8 billion, including $26.2 billion for medical services and $3.5 billion for prescription drugs.¹ Using the latest data, Chmura estimated the cancer cost for each state, considering state-level breast cancer incident rates and variations in cancer treatment costs. The National Cancer Institute also examined the significant racial and ethnic disparities in cancer incidence and mortality rates, underscoring the benefits of early detection.

Breast cancer treatment costs estimated to exceed $30 billion in 2024

Chmura estimates the medical cost of breast cancer treatment for 2024 at $32.7 billion. The $3 billion increase since 2020 reflects a change in the total number of individuals with breast cancer and changes to costs associated with treating breast cancer from 2020 to 2024. Data from the National Breast Cancer Foundation show that the United States currently has 4.0 million breast cancer survivors. Since the number of individuals living with breast cancer in 2020 was not known, Chmura utilized state-level population growth rates to approximate the increase in the number of breast cancer patients, assuming breast cancer incidence rates remained constant between 2020 and 2024.²

In addition, to adjust the cost of breast cancer from the 2020 level to the 2024 level Chmura used the Consumer Price Index for medical services. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicate that, from 2020 to 2024, price increases for medical care were lower than the overall consumer price level. Specifically, based on BLS data as of August 2024, Chmura estimates that the price for medical care appreciated 8.4%, while the overall consumer price increased 21.4% since 2020.

Combined, Chmura estimates that the total medical costs for breast cancer for 2024 may reach $32.7 billion. Of that amount, the estimated cost of medical services is $28.8 billion and the estimated cost of prescription drugs is $3.9 billion.

Breast cancer incidence rates vary widely by state

To estimate medical costs at the state level, Chmura considered the differences in state-level breast cancer incidence and treatment costs. More individuals needing care live in states with a higher incidence and they drive up total medical costs. Data from the Susan G. Komen Foundation show that for the five-year average from 2016 to 2020, the female breast cancer incidence rate was 129 per 100,000 women in the United States. Rates varied dramatically across states, however, from a high of 140 for Rhode Island to a low of 111 for Nevada (see table below). Some factors increasing the risk of breast cancer include age, obesity, use of alcohol and tobacco, and family history.

Figure 1: Estimated Breast Cancer Costs in 2024

Anecdotal evidence suggests that variations exist in breast cancer treatment costs among states but current data on state treatment costs are difficult to obtain. Chmura utilized a 2013 study on state-level cancer treatment costs to approximate the state-level cost differences.³ The study showed that Michigan reported the highest cancer treatment cost, 13% higher than the national average, and California and Arizona reported the lowest cost, 13% lower than the national average.

The map above presents the estimated state-level costs of breast cancer for 2024. The estimated cost for California reached $3.1 billion, followed by Texas at $2.7 billion, and Florida at $2.4 billion. Wyoming demonstrated the lowest estimated total medical cost at $51 million in 2024. Not surprisingly, states with larger populations demonstrate the highest total costs. When dividing the total medical cost by the number of patients, California drops to the bottom of the list, with the lowest estimated cost of $89,000, and Tennessee logs the highest per-patient estimated cost at $122,000.

Different racial groups see discrepancies in incidence and mortality rates

Data from the National Cancer Institute show that the average number of new cases between 2017 and 2020 amount to 129.4 women per 100,000 women in the United States. However, wide variations exist among different racial and ethnic groups (Figure 2). Hispanic women demonstrate the lowest incidence rate of 101.2, non-Hispanic white women show the highest incidence rate of 139.0, and non-Hispanic black women demonstrated an incidence rate close to the national average.

The mortality rates by racial and ethnic groups tell a different story. The five-year average (2018-2022) data from the National Cancer Institute shows a female breast cancer mortality rate at 19.3 per 100,000 women in the United States. Hispanic women’s mortality rate was significantly lower than the national average, at 13.7, and non-Hispanic white women’s mortality rate (19.4) was similar to the national average. In contrast, non-Hispanic black women demonstrated a significantly higher mortality rate of 26.8.

Figure 2: Difference by Racial and Ethnic Groups

A breast cancer diagnosis also results in financial burdens for American families, even among patients with health insurance. In 2019, women who undertook breast cancer treatment paid $3.14 billion in out-of-pocket costs for deductibles or items not covered by the plan. Based on a recent study, the average out-of-pocket costs due to deductibles and co-insurance rates amounted to $1,502 per patient.⁴ Costs are much higher for women without public or private health insurance coverage. While treatment costs for the uninsured are difficult to retrieve, in 2010, the average costs allowed by insurance companies ranged from $60,637 to $182,655, depending on the disease stage.⁵ Expensive breast cancer treatment could disproportionately impact Black and Hispanic families with lower incomes than white and Asian families.

Benefits of early intervention and screening for breast cancer

Medical costs are only one component of the total breast cancer burden. Breast cancer imposes a strenuous emotional and financial toll on families. Many individuals need to take time off from work to undergo intense treatment or to drive loved ones to medical facilities, decreasing labor productivity.⁶ The enormous cost of breast cancer calls for extensive education and outreach efforts. Early detection and intervention can play an important role in reducing financial and emotional stress for American families.

According to the CDC, breast cancer screening can reduce death—the most important benefit of early intervention. Breast cancer screening can also decrease the number of women diagnosed with late-stage cancer. Early-stage breast cancer is easier to treat, lengthening the life of cancer patients. Breast cancer screening can also reduce health care spending since treatment of early-stage breast cancer costs significantly less than treatment for those diagnosed at a late stage.

To support ongoing research and treatment efforts, Chmura will donate 3% of all new business sales of JobsEQ throughout the month of October to the Massey Cancer Center in Richmond and the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center.

Table 1: The cost of breast cancer varies among states, 2024

¹ National Cancer Institute. Financial burden of cancer care. Cancer Trends Progress Report. Reviewed March 2024. Accessed July 2024. https://progressreport.cancer.gov/after/economic_burden

² Data from National Cancer Institute shows that the female breast cancer incidence rates are stable in recent years.

³ Tangka, Florence, et al. (2013) State-level Cancer Treatment Costs-How Much and Who Pays. Accessed September 23, 2024, https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4732876/

⁴ Hager A, Gracia G, Rodin D, Conti RM. Out-of-Pocket Costs of Treatment Among Employer-Insured Women With Invasive Breast Cancer. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(3):e231507. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.1507

⁵ Blumen H, Fitch K, Polkus V. Comparison of Treatment Costs for Breast Cancer, by Tumor Stage and Type of Service. Am Health Drug Benefits. 2016 Feb;9(1):23-32. PMID: 27066193; PMCID: PMC482297

⁶ Kamal KM, Covvey JR, Dashputre A, Ghosh S, Shah S, Bhosle M, Zacker C. A Systematic Review of the Effect of Cancer Treatment on Work Productivity of Patients and Caregivers. J Manag Care Spec Pharm. 2017 Feb;23(2):136-162. doi: 10.18553/jmcp.2017.23.2.136. PMID: 28125370; PMCID: PMC10397748.