Cancer Media

Healthcare Economist on Marketplace

What are the economic consequences of the updated USPSTF recommendations to move the age for annual breast cancer screening to age 40?

I was interviewed at NPR’s Marketplace Morning Report today (May 11, 2023) to help answer the question. You can listen to the episode here (the segment on breast cancer screening starts at 5:32). My comments are below:

If you detect people with breast cancer earlier, the cost of treating people at early stage breast cancer compared to later is much cheaper.

Jason Shafrin on Marketplace Morning Report, May 11, 2023

I also weigh in on the provider impact as screening is often not well-reimbursed

Costs are rising and reimbursement may be lagging especially for the public payers, Medicare and Medicaid.

Jason Shafrin on Marketplace Morning Report, May 11, 2023