How much does prostate cancer treatment really cost?

You think !!! If this was breast cancer there would be more medications available for all men !!!

High false positive rate from PSA yields more MRIs. Equivocal MRIs and PIRADs yield more biopsies. Biopsies with attendant RVUs yield higher bonuses for urologists.

Before mpMRI advent in 2012 or so, the negative biopsy rate was estimated to be around 70%. That’s one indication of the weakness of the PSA test. Even with mpMRI, newer biomarker tests used as an adjunct to PSA reduce the number of biopsies by an estimated 20-50%. MPS2, Episwitch PSE, Stockholm 3, are three of the newer biomarker tests that enable better diagnosis and risk stratification of prostate cancer. Ask your doctor why he/she is not using these tests.

Whatever is available should be used !!! I have had 2 biopsies of my prostate and I would have no problem having 3 !!! It’s not big of a deal , a pinch or 2 and it’s done !!! Better than dying!!!

Tim, when necessary, biopsies make sense. An unnecessary rate of biopsies wastes money. Indeed, if there are better diagnostic tools that would help avoid unnecessary biopsies, they should be used. But when doctors have a financial incentive to do more expensive procedures, one wonders whether that influences their decision to find reasons not to use the better diagnostic tool.

Treatment costs for prostate cancer can vary widely depending on factors like the type of treatment, insurance coverage, and geographic location. Many patients find it helpful to discuss financial concerns with their care team's financial counselor or social worker, who can often provide information about assistance programs and help navigate insurance coverage options.

You aren't kidding. I'm only 10 months into this ride and the gas prices are gonna take me out faster than the cancer.