Seeking out a second opinion saved some cancer patients an average of $15,015, according to a study published Dec. 2 in JCO Oncology Practice.
For the study, researchers from New York City-based Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center evaluated data from 120 patients who sought a second opinion after receiving a documented first opinion.
Here are five things to know from the study:
- Four cancer types — colorectal, head and neck, lung and myeloma — were represented by 30 patients each.
- Of the 120 patients, 43 had a change in treatment based on the second opinion.
- Of those 43 patients, 31 experienced lowered care costs after receiving the second opinion. Seven patients had increased care costs and five had no change to care costs.
- Average care cost savings ranged from $2,517 for lung cancer and $43,437 for myeloma.
- Cost savings were related to election of less-intensive surgeries or drug therapies, or shifting from treatment to observation.
Read the full study here.
Leave a Reply