| ESTIMATES OF CURRENT HEALTH CARE COST IN THE UNITED STATES | POSTULATED COST SAVINGS WITH ADEQUATE PREVENTIVE CARE (PER U.S. GUIDELINES AND RISK REDUCTION DATA) | PREVENTIVE MEASURES | ||
| CANCER In 2003 there were 10 million individuals in the United States with a history of cancer. An estimated $72.1 billion was spent for cancer care in 2004. Within the first year of diagnosis, the cost of treating cancers of the brain or other nervous system, esophagus, stomach, liver, ovarian, and pancreatic range from $40,000 - $69,908. In the last year of life the costs range from $40,000-$80,965 for cancers of esophagus, stomach, liver, lung, ovaries, pancreas, leukemia, and lymphoma. | It is recommended that there be more emphasis in early detection and treatment of cancer to decrease the overall cost of future care. |
• Get evaluation for skin diseases/ skin cancer depending on your medical condition and risk factors. Early diagnosis and treatment could prevent advanced stages of disease. • Get routine recommended screenings for cancer to allow early diagnosis and treatment before there is spread to various parts of the body. (breast, colon, prostate, cervix, etc) |
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Net costs were higher at the initial phase, with later stage at diagnosis. Example: colorectal cancer care $24,221 with local disease, $35,981- $36,692 with regional disease $51,158 with distant disease.
For women with breast, colorectal, uterine, head and neck, ovarian, urinary bladder cancers with distant metastasis, the initial cost was double compared to those for women diagnosed with local disease. K Robin Yabroff et al, J Natl Cancer Inst, 2008; 100; 630-641. Statistics 118 billion dollars was spent in lost productivity related to cancer in 2005. Medical cost for employees with cancer was 5 times greater than employees without cancer. |
It may be possible to achieve a 20% reduction in cost with preventive measures along with very early diagnosis and treatment of cancers. |