Is medical imaging easy pickings for reducing cancer costs? - Cancer Network

Yale Cancer Genetic Counseling blog

Monday, April 19, 2010
Myriad raises price of BRCA testing, again.
On April 1, 2010 - three days after a court ruling that invalidated Myriad's patents on the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes (associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer) the company increased their prices for genetic testing. Old cost =$3,770. New cost = $4,040 for full sequencing plus rearrangement testing.

Impact of a chemoresponse assay on treatment costs for recurrent ovarian cancer

Impact of the Cost of Cancer Treatment: An Internet-Based Survey -- Markman and Luce 6 (2): 69 -- Journal of Oncology Practice

Note: abstract only, did not include ovarian cancer patients Conclusion: This survey suggests that a substantial proportion of patients and their families experience considerable distress associated with the cost of cancer care delivery. Furthermore, these costs affect the decision of patients with cancer to receive recommended treatment. This is a particularly serious issue for individuals with a modest annual income.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of prevention strategies for gynecologic cancers in Lynch syndrome

The cost-effectiveness of genetic testing strategies for Lynch Syndrome among newly diagnosed patients with colorectal cancer

"This finding provides support for a recent US recommendation to offer testing for Lynch syndrome to all newly diagnosed patients with colorectal cancer."

Economy down, health costs up

Editorial note: .....or maybe your best friend?? (slight humour)