New data released by Brem Foundation to Defeat Beast Cancer and No Patient Left Behind found that nearly 30 million women of the recommended screening age in the U.S. have missed a crucial breast cancer screening in the past year.

Why? The answer is as shocking as it is preventable: cost.

Even more alarming, nearly half say they would forgo life-saving treatment, if diagnosed, if their insurance out-of-pocket expenses (i.e. copays charged by health plans) exceeded $2,000. And this isn’t just a number. It’s your mother, sister, daughter, or friend who might skip a screening or abandon treatment — because the financial burden is simply too great.

A recent poll conducted by Brem Foundation to Defeat Breast Cancer and No Patient Left Behind, in conjunction with HarrisX Polls and AmyLev Strategies, shows that cost is a leading deterrent when it comes to breast cancer screening and potentially for treatment, if there is a diagnosis. This data should serve as a wake up call for insurers, legislators, patient advocates, and healthcare leaders — we need to eliminate out-of-pocket costs charged by insurers for prior authorized screenings and treatments, establish manageable caps for treatment costs, and do better for women.

Imagine facing the possibility of breast cancer but hesitating to seek diagnosis or treatment because you fear the price tag. This is the reality for millions of women across America.

Key Findings

• 39% of women of recommended screening age* haven’t received a mammogram or breast cancer screening in the past 12 months. 

• 42% of women of recommended screening age* who have not been screened in the past year say they do not plan to get screened in the next year.

• 1 in 3 of women who have not been screened name cost as the factor for why they don’t plan to screen.

• Out-of-pocket insurance costs for Breast exams (like mammograms, ultrasounds or MRI) often cost from $250 -$1,000, and can often be over $3,000.

• 53% of U.S. Women would be unlikely to get a recommended breast exam if their out-of-pocket costs are over $2,000, and 44% would be unlikely to do so if their out-of-pocket costs are over $1,000.

• 48% of U.S. women are unlikely to pursue treatment if diagnosed if their out-of-pocket costs are over $2,000, and 41% would forgo treatment if their out-of-pocket costs are over $1,000.

*Women in the recommended screening age (40-74).

See the USA Today coverage that speaks about our survey!

You Shouldn’t Have to Choose Between Your Health and Your Wallet

The fear of a cancer diagnosis is overwhelming. The fear of the costs that follow shouldn’t add to that burden. Our survey found that nearly half of all women say they would abandon breast cancer treatment if the out-of-pocket insurance costs were too high. This is especially true for those earning under $75,000 a year, where 58% would be forced to walk away from potentially life-saving care.

But here’s the truth: cost should never stand in the way of care. No woman should ever have to choose between her health and her financial security.

As an organization committed to early detection of breast cancer, we at Brem Foundation to Defeat Breast Cancer know that regular and accessible screenings are crucial. The numbers speak for themselves — over 99 percent of women who receive an early diagnosis can see high rates of survival with treatment. That number drops to 30 percent when breast cancer is caught at later stages* — and is a stark reality when financial barriers prevent early diagnosis.

Together, We Can Make a Difference

This isn’t just a healthcare issue — it’s shaping a healthier future for everyone. We need policies that ensure breast cancer care is affordable for every woman, no matter her financial situation. By removing out-of-pocket costs for screening and capping doctor-prescribed treatments authorized by your insurer, we can give every woman a fighting chance.

*Based on a 5 year relative survival rate.

More than 20 states plus Washington, D.C. have passed legislation to require state insurers to cover out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and screening imaging beyond mammography associated with breast cancers. At the federal level, the Find It Early Act is a crucial piece of legislation designed to ensure that women have access to early breast cancer detection without the burden of high out-of-pocket costs. The bill would eliminate financial barriers by mandating that insurance plans cover the full cost of breast cancer screening services beyond mammography, including ultrasounds, MRIs, and other diagnostic tests, at no cost to the patient. By passing the Find It Early Act, lawmakers would help save countless lives by enabling more women to detect breast cancer in its earliest and most treatable stages, regardless of their financial situation.

Download the Find It Early Fact Sheet.

Learn More About Lowering Out-of-Pocket Rx Costs

To make treatment more accessible, coalitions such as LOOP (Lower Out-of-Pocket Now), are working to make out-of-pocket costs more affordable for insured patients. 10 states have passed Rx OOP caps, and federal legislation to extend $2K has been introduced by Senators Casey & Warnock.

Such patient focused policy change should be a top priority for leaders and stakeholders hoping to make a difference in women’s lives. The current reality is unacceptable: women are skipping lifesaving breast cancer screenings and treatments due to high insurance costs, risking decades of progress in reducing breast cancer mortality. We can and must commit to doing better by patients.

At Brem Foundation, we’re breaking down cost barriers to breast cancer screenings through two key programs: Wheels for Women, which provides free transportation to and from screening appointments, and the B-Fund, which helps cover out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic tests. These innovative solutions ensure that all women, regardless of financial situation, can access life-saving early detection services.

When you donate to Brem Foundation, you’re not just giving money — you’re giving a mother, a sister, a daughter the chance to diagnose breast cancer early and a better chance at survival. Donate to support our work now.

Your voice matters. Our friends at No Patient Left Behind are fighting to reform broken health insurance policies, starting with the voices of real women affected by the system. Share your story and visit their website to learn more.

This survey was conducted online within the United States from June 18-19, 2024, among 626 U.S. adult women, by AmyLev Strategies and HarrisX. The sampling margin of error is plus or minus 3.9 percentage points. The results reflect a nationally representative sample of U.S. female adults.