Hypofractionated whole breast irradiation is cost-effective—but is that enough to change practice?

Abstract

Breast cancer is both the most commonly diagnosed new cancer and the most expensive cancer to treat in the United States (US) (1). It was estimated to account for the largest share of national cancer expenditures in 2010, at $16.5 billion, and is projected to increase to $20.5 billion by 2020 based on US population growth alone (2). In the current climate of unsustainable rising healthcare costs, breast cancer and its treatment present ample opportunities to favorably bend the cost curve while positively benefitting patients.