After heart disease, cancer is the second most expensive ailment in the U.S. And, if the emotional burden of a cancer diagnosis weren't enough, there's both an obvious and hidden (or indirect) financial cost, as well. 

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The estimated annual cost of $171 billion, two-thirds ($114 billion) are considered "out-of-pocket" costs [1]. Patients and their families are often surprised by the additional expenses that can be associated with cancer treatment, including the cost of transportation, childcare, restaurant meals, hotel stays, telephone calls, nutritional services, counseling, special equipment, and medical supplies, among many others.

In many cases, this financial burden is magnified by the loss of income if either a patient or caregiver is forced to reduce their workload. Even among women with comprehensive health insurance policies, the financial burden of breast cancer can be substantial [ref. 1].

One study provided insight to the cost of chemotherapy-related serious adverse events (SAEs), as well as to the overall cost of treating a patient with chemotherapy--the "Frequency and Cost of Chemotherapy-Related Serious Adverse Effects In a Population Sample of Women With Breast Cancer" [ref. 2; The Journal of the National Cancer Institute].  In it, there were 2 cohorts of women, less than 64 years of age with breast cancer: those treated with chemotherapy and those who did not have it. 

Results "The incremental cost of chemotherapy, over non-chemotherapy patients, is approximately $31,000 per year. The incremental cost for those patients that experience chemotherapy-related SAEs is $46,000 per patient....Chemotherapy for women with breast cancer may cause more patient suffering and higher healthcare costs than previously estimated."

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Beyond the fiscal, the physical and psychological domains will be discussed.  Let us know of your interest; it will be a catalyst to expedite such a discussion.  

In the interim, however, Genomic Health (See Advocate Community News) is a good resource; they are committed to addressing the high cost of cancer care. 

E.G.  Oncotype DXTM, "can help patients and their doctors make more informed treatment decisions that can potentially result in the reduction of other costs of cancer, such as the expense of unnecessary doctor visits, additional testing, and over-treatment. Even more important, informed treatment decision-making can help ease patient distress while positively impacting other important quality-of-life decisions."

References

1. Arozullah AM, Calhoun EA, Wolf M, et al. "The Financial Burden of Cancer: Estimates From a Study of Insured Women with Breast Cancer." Journal of Supportive Oncology. 2004;2(3):271 – 278.
2. Hassett MJ, O'Malley AJ, Pakes JR, Newhouse P, Earle CC. "Frequency and Cost of Chemotherapy-Related Serious Adverse Effects In a Population Sample of Women With Breast Cancer." Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 2006;98(16).