A new National Institutes of Health (NIH) analysis project predicts cancer care expenditures will reach at least $158 billion in 2020, a 27% increase from 2010. If the costs of new technologies for cancer diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up continue to increase, these expenditures could reach up to $207 billion. Projections were based on the most recent data available on cancer incidence, survival, and costs of care. In 2010, cancer medical costs were projected to reach $124.6 billion, with the highest costs associated with breast cancer ($16.5 billion), colorectal cancer ($14 billion), lymphoma ($12 billion), lung cancer ($12 billion), and prostate cancer ($12 billion).
These projections are higher than previous estimates mainly because researchers used the most recent data available, including Medicare claims data through 2006, which include payments for newer, more expensive targeted therapies. In addition, costs were analyzed according to phase of care, which identified the higher costs associated with the first year of treatment and the last year of life (for those who die from the disease). This enabled researchers to provide more precise cost estimates.
