Overcoming Cost-Related Fears as a Barrier to Breast Cancer Treatment
The Susan G. Komen Foundation is one of the world’s leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to eliminating breast cancer. Founded in 1982, the organization is committed to saving lives by investing in breakthrough research, offering support to patients, and ensuring that everyone has access to quality breast cancer care. With over 115 local affiliates, the foundation empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their breast health through education, awareness, and advocacy.
To address the cost and accessibility of breast cancer care, Susan G. Komen Colorado partnered with CIVHC to use the Colorado All Payer Claims Database (CO APCD) to shine a light on the financial realities of fighting this disease. As the Denver and Aspen-based arm of the national Komen organization, the Colorado chapter hopes to empower people across the state by providing transparent data related to health care decisions and reduce the cost burden of breast cancer care.
With data from the CO APCD, Komen Colorado is tackling two major barriers preventing early detection and treatment: the actual costs of care and the fear of financial ruin that many patients face when diagnosed. Their project aims to increase awareness and transparency around the costs of breast cancer care from screening to treatment and recurrence prevention, with a focus on variations in cost by service (surgery, chemotherapy, etc.), geography, facility, and insurance payer type.
Ultimately, this project embodies Komen Colorado’s mission to save lives and end breast cancer forever, offering a data-driven pathway to lower costs and improve breast cancer survivorship in Colorado. By engaging a broad coalition of community partners, Komen hopes to identify strategies to prevent late-stage diagnoses—where costs soar and survival plummets—and ensure that all Coloradans have access to the life-saving care they need, regardless of where they live or their financial circumstances.