Women In U.S. Have Limited Access To Less Expensive, Invasive Breast Cancer Treatment
Source: Black Enterprise · Oct 22, 2026
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- 01IORT offers eligible breast cancer patients a single radiation treatment, reducing treatment time and costs compared with repeated visits; the article does not quantify patient savings.
- 02Medicare estimates from 2022 put radiation oncologist payments at $525 for IORT, versus $1,300 for five whole-breast radiation sessions and $1,730 for 15 sessions.
- 03Repeated visits also generate facility fees. Breast surgeons told NBC News that lower provider revenue contributes to limited U.S. access to IORT; surgeons themselves receive the same payment regardless of the radiation approach.
- 04Access also faces clinical concerns: the American Society for Radiation Oncology does not recommend IORT outside clinical trials, citing slightly higher cancer recurrence rates. The article provides no Black-specific cost or access data.
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Who's involved
Food and Drug AdministrationNBC NewsMedicareAmerican Society for Radiation OncologyDr. Phillip LeyMerit Health Surgical Oncology
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No public companiesThis Money Angle is an AI-assisted summary of reporting by Black Enterprise. Figures come only from the source article. Not financial advice.