The Hidden Cost of Breast Cancer

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time when pink ribbons, fundraisers, and stories of survival fill the media. Beneath these inspiring campaigns lies a harsh reality: breast cancer in the United States is common, costly, and often leaves families facing severe financial distress. At the Samaritan Fund Foundation (SFF), we see firsthand how medical bills and lost wages compound the emotional burden of illness, and we exist to ease that load.

Breast Cancer Is Far Too Common

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the U.S. and remains the second-leading cause of cancer death after lung cancer (American Cancer Society). Roughly one in eight women, about 13.1 percent, will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer over her lifetime (American Cancer Society). In 2022 alone, there were 279,731 new female breast cancer cases in the U.S., and in 2023, 42,213 deaths were recorded (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). As of 2022, approximately 4.09 million women in the United States were living with a history of breast cancer (National Cancer Institute SEER Program). These numbers make it clear breast cancer is not rare, and it touches millions of lives across every community.

The Financial Burden Beyond Awareness

The financial burden that follows a breast cancer diagnosis emphasizes that awareness alone is not enough. Even with insurance, treatment often triggers significant out-of-pocket costs, lost income, and long-term financial stress.

In 2020, breast cancer care accounted for an estimated $29.8 billion in medical and prescription costs, making it the highest-cost cancer in the country (CDC). That figure included $26.2 billion for medical services and $3.5 billion for prescription drugs in that year alone. Projections suggest costs may exceed $32.7 billion in 2024, reflecting rising treatment costs and increasing prevalence (Chmura Economics).

For individual patients and families, the toll is equally daunting. A 2019 analysis found that patients with breast cancer incurred $3.14 billion in out-of-pocket expenses, more than for any other cancer type (Breastcancer.org). Average out-of-pocket costs, including deductibles, co-insurance, and non-covered care, often exceed $1,500 per patient and can climb much higher depending on stage and treatment plan (Chmura Economics). Many families also lose income when patients reduce work hours or stop working during treatment, and some are forced to skip or delay care because they simply cannot afford it (Breastcancer.org). The burden is even heavier for younger patients, those with late-stage diagnoses, and people with limited insurance or financial resources (American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network).

How the Samaritan Fund Foundation (SFF) Helps

This is precisely where the Samaritan Fund Foundation (SFF) plays a critical role. Many individuals qualify for necessary medical treatment but face financial barriers that can prevent them from accessing care. If you qualify, SFF can help remove the financial burden of a serious medical diagnosis by sourcing funds to cover qualified out-of-pocket medical expenses. The foundation’s mission is to bring Peace of Mind to Heal by providing individuals facing acute medical conditions with the financial support they need cover their medical expenses.

Turning Awareness into Action

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, SFF reaffirms that awareness must lead to action. Stories and pink ribbons are meaningful, but they must be paired with concrete support. When a diagnosis occurs, the expenses do not disappear. That is why the Samaritan Fund Foundation exists: to serve as a safety net beneath the affordability cliff and to help individuals fight not only the disease but also the financial devastation that too often accompanies it.

The Samaritan Fund Foundation delivers hope. Through these efforts, more individuals can face breast cancer or any costly medical diagnosis with strength, dignity, and the resources they need.