By Douglas Blair

A new national poll released by HarrisX in coordination with the Brem Foundation to Defeat Breast Cancer, No Patient Left Behind and AmyLev Strategies reveals alarming gaps in breast cancer screening and treatment across the U.S.  

The survey highlights that 28 million women between the ages of 40 and 74 have not had a mammogram or other breast cancer screening in the past year. Even more concerning, 42% of these unscreened women have no plans to get screened in the next year. 

Why? Cost. 

Cost is a significant deterrent for many women when it comes to breast cancer screening. Among the 28 million women who have not been screened over the past year, nearly one-third cite concerns surrounding the price of care as a primary reason. This includes worries about the cost of the screening itself, as well as potential expenses for further diagnostic tests or treatment if any abnormalities are found. 

HarrisX’s data comes at a critical time, given that early detection is key to increasing survival rates for breast cancer. Statistics show that one in eight women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. 

Women who receive an early diagnosis boast a survival rate of over 99%, but this drops to 30% when the cancer is detected in its later stages.  

Women’s concerns with the financial needs of prescreening are exacerbated by the high out-of-pocket costs associated with diagnostic follow-up procedures. Our poll found that one in three U.S. women and 41%of women aged 40-74 have been asked to return for additional tests following an initial abnormal mammogram or the discovery of symptoms like lumps or pain.Diagnostic tests, such as ultrasounds or MRIs, can range from $250 to $1,000,with some procedures costing over $3,000.  

Nearly half of all women surveyed said they would avoid additional recommended diagnostic breast exams if the out-of-pocket cost exceeded $1,000 and that 48% of women would forgo breast cancer treatment if their out-of-pocket costs exceeded $2,000. That figure rises dramatically among women whose annual household income is less than $75,000, with 58% saying they would be unlikely to seek treatment under those circumstances. 

Dritan Nesho, CEO of HarrisX, said “This data underscores a critical challenge: how the financial burden of breast cancer screening and treatment prevents millions of women from taking proactive steps in protecting their health. These cost concerns require urgent attention to ensure that early detection and effective treatment are more accessible.” 

With nearly half of women surveyed expressing hesitation about pursuing necessary care due to cost concerns, financial barriers represent a significant obstacle to early detection and successful treatment. 

Without immediate intervention to reduce the financial burden of breast cancer care, millions of women will continue to face unnecessary risks and barriers to potentially life-saving treatment.