When it comes to cancer screenings, patients worry about costs as much as results

Many Americans skip routine cancer screenings because they are worried. Not just about what the tests might find, but a new survey finds they also worry about the cost.

The survey, by the Prevent Cancer Foundation, found about one-third (34%) of Americans who worry about routine cancer screenings, such as a mammogram, are concerned about costs. That’s up from 25% the year before. Researchers also found that almost 3/4 of Americans (73%) reported being behind on at least one routine cancer screening; up 4% from the year before.

“This growing backlog of missed screenings reflects how concerns about affordability are translating into delayed or skipped screenings,” the foundation said in an April 1 statement  reported by Fierce Biotech news. 

The top three reasons for missing screenings: people didn’t know they needed to be screened (42%), had no family history of cancer (36%) and cost concerns (34%).

The foundation said some cost concerns may be driven by confusion about patients’ financial responsibility. Many routine cancer screenings are covered by Medicaid and Medicare as well as most health insurance plans, though coverage varies by cancer type, patient age and risk level.

What about you? Have you skipped a routine cancer screening because you were worried about the cost? Share your story with Voices for Affordable Health.