Skipping Screenings Is Doubling Breast Cancer Costs

Nomi Health analysis shows late-stage diagnoses double treatment costs and risk.

One in three eligible women skip recommended mammograms, even when available at $0 out-of-pocket cost. Behind each missed screening is a woman at higher risk and an employer facing rising healthcare costs.

A new analysis from Nomi Health reveals how high those costs can be. As part of its Trends in Spend series, Nomi examined breast cancer screening and treatment data for women aged 40 to 74 between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2023. The findings show that delayed detection negatively impacts patient outcomes and significantly increases the financial burden.

"Behind every delayed diagnosis is a person, a family, and a harder road ahead," said Mark Newman, CEO of Nomi Health. "We're seeing advanced breast cancer treatments cost up to $120,000 per episode for unscreened patients. Making preventive care accessible isn't just about managing costs; it's about protecting your workforce and their loved ones."

Key findings:

• More than 1 in 3 eligible women still skip mammograms.
  
  While screening rates among women aged 40–74 have improved in recent years, over one-third continue to do without mammograms at the recommended frequency—leaving significant gaps in preventive care.
• Late detection doubles costs—and risk.
  
  Unscreened women with advanced-stage breast cancer face treatment costs of up to $120,485 which is $44,029 more than screened patients at the same stage. They are also more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with metastatic (stage 4 or more) cancer (8.92% vs. 3.79%).
• Delayed diagnosis increases treatment costs by 18%.
  
  The average cost per breast cancer episode was $25,765 for unscreened women—18% higher than for those who received routine screenings.
• Improved screening technology detects more cancers—and is widely accessible: Today, 92% of mammograms use advanced 3D imaging—up from 76% in 2020—and 99.5% of employer health plans cover it. The improved technology detects 40% more invasive cancers than traditional methods and reduces false positives.

About Nomi Health

Nomi Health rebuilds the business of the U.S. healthcare. The company’s integrated platform combines analytics, pharmacy management, direct provider networks, and payment solutions—providing the essential infrastructure that powers better healthcare for employers, governments, and their partners.

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