How Much Does Prostate Cancer Treatment Cost?

Out of every 100 American men, an estimated 13 will get prostate cancer in their lifetime.¹ Prostate cancer, the most common cancer in men (other than skin cancer), is a serious, life-threatening condition that can be costly to treat.² Here, we explore the costs of prostate cancer treatment and explain how Aflac cancer insurance can help ease the financial burden of treatment.

4 Min Read

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Treating prostate cancer costs an average of $2,800 per month after diagnosis.³
Treatment costs for prostate cancer may vary based on your location, medication, and treatment plan.
Aflac cancer insurance is a supplemental insurance plan (additional coverage for expenses your primary insurance doesn’t cover) that can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs for prostate cancer treatment.

How much does it cost to treat prostate cancer?

One study has found that it costs an average of $2,800 per month to treat prostate cancer after diagnosis.³ Costs of treating metastatic prostate cancer, which means the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, are typically higher. Annual per-person costs for early-stage treatment of metastatic prostate cancer are about $28,000, while care for the last stage of life averages $74,000.⁴

Factors affecting prostate cancer treatment costs

Each case is different, and not all treatments will cost the same. These are some of the key factors impacting the cost of prostate cancer treatment:

Type of treatment

Treatment costs vary, as do types of health insurance coverage. Depending on your condition, you may have a one-time procedure, or you may need ongoing daily treatment like chemotherapy, radiation or proton therapy.

Stage and severity of cancer

Cancer treatment costs are generally broken into early-stage, continuing, and end-of-life costs. Treatment costs in the final year of life tend to be highest, so more severe cases requiring aggressive treatment will likely be more expensive.⁵

Location and healthcare facility

Treatment may be more expensive if you live in an area with a higher cost of living. Generally, since staff require higher wages to live in the area, treatment costs will be higher than in areas with a lower cost of living.

Insurance coverage

Health insurance typically does cover cancer treatments. Health insurance typically does cover cancer treatments. However, each plan is different, and some may have annual limits, higher deductibles, or require co-payments for certain services, all of which can affect how much you pay for treatment.

Additional medical services

Follow-up care and medications can add up. The more you have to go to the doctor for follow-up appointments or take prescription drugs for cancer treatment, the higher your expenses may be.

Peace of mind doesn't have to break the bank

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Help cover yourself and your family with coverage from Aflac.

Get Started

Does insurance cover prostate cancer treatment?

The Affordable Care Act requires health insurance policies to offer coverage to cancer patients and doesn’t allow them to charge higher premiums for people with pre-existing conditions like cancer.⁶ That said, policies differ in their features. Most plans have a "max out of pocket" that covers the deductible, co-payments and coinsurance you must pay annually toward your treatment.^7,8 This number varies between providers and plans, so it’s important to understand the specific terms of your plan and keep careful records of your treatment costs.

Ways to manage prostate cancer treatment costs

Treating prostate cancer is expensive, but there are ways to reduce your out-of-pocket costs. These include:

Reviewing plan details: Make sure you understand the specifics of your insurance plan. Knowing the max out-of-pocket can help you plan and budget accordingly.
Use in-network providers: Insurance providers typically have an approved network of doctors. Using these doctors rather than out-of-network ones could save you money.
Explore financial assistance programs: Organizations like HealthWell and CancerCare can provide financial assistance if you can’t afford treatment.⁴ Speak with your doctor about payment plans and recommendations for financial aid programs.
Get supplemental cancer insurance: Aflac cancer insurance pays cash benefits to help cover costs that are not covered by primary health insurance. You can use these benefits to pay for costs that may arise from an unexpected diagnosis.

Prostate cancer treatment cost FAQs

How much does it cost to treat prostate cancer without insurance?

Treating prostate cancer without insurance can be very expensive, but the exact cost depends on the treatment type, medications used, where care is delivered and where you live. Cancer care costs can include treatment, medicines, deductibles, travel, lodging, lab tests, imaging and other out-of-pocket expenses, so patients should ask their care team for a full cost estimate early on.⁷

Will Medicare pay for proton therapy for prostate cancer?

Medicare may pay for proton therapy for prostate cancer, but coverage depends on the type of plan. While traditional Medicare coverage doesn’t vary by state, Medicare Advantage and secondary plans may require pre-authorization and can vary in what they cover.⁹

Additionally, not all insurance policies cover proton beam therapy because of its higher cost.¹⁰

How much does radiation therapy for prostate cancer cost?

Radiation therapy for prostate cancer can also vary widely in cost, especially depending on whether it is standard external beam radiation, brachytherapy, or proton beam therapy. Proton therapy is much more expensive than traditional radiation therapy and is only available at specialized centers.¹¹

Get a quote for cancer insurance

Prostate cancer is relatively common and treatable, but it may cause a financial burden. Supplemental cancer insurance may be worth it if your primary health insurance plan has a high max out-of-pocket. Aflac cancer insurance can help you cover unexpected costs that arise from prostate cancer treatment. However, keep in mind that you must already have coverage before getting a diagnosis. Chat with an Aflac agent today to learn more about cancer insurance and get a quote.

Are you ready to get cancer insurance?

Get Started