Study: Spending on Cancer Doubled Over Last 20 Years
Cancer treatment spending rose from $25 billion in 1987 to more than $48 billion by the end of 2005, related to an increase in the number of cancer patients, according to a new study. The study, published in the journal Cancer, also found that the proportion of cancer care costs covered by private insurance rose from 42% to 50% and the proportion of costs paid by patients declined from 17% to 8%.
- "US Cancer Costs Double in Nearly 20 Years" (Stobbe, AP/San Diego Union-Tribune, 5/9).
- "Cancer Costs Double, in Line With Health Spending Trend" (Weise, USA Today, 5/10).