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Cancer treatment is costly. The average cost of cancer care in the U.S. is around $150,000 per patient—more than four times the cost of treatment for other common health conditions, according to AARP. The American Cancer Society projected that In 2025, more than 2 million people in the U.S. are expected to be diagnosed with cancer, with over 618,000 deaths projected. With these high costs, artificial intelligence (AI) is offering new solutions that are not only saving lives but also making cancer care more affordable.
AI’s Role in Early Cancer Detection
Early detection is one of the most effective ways to reduce cancer treatment costs. When cancer is caught in its earliest stages, treatments tend to be less aggressive and more affordable. At The Christ Hospital, AI has significantly improved lung cancer detection.
“Nearly 70% of lung cancer cases are now found at stage I or II, well above the national average of 46%,” said Seth Howard, executive vice president of research and development at Epic. “In just six months, over 60 patients started treatment earlier, significantly improving their chances of survival.”
By diagnosing cancer earlier, AI allows doctors to offer more cost-effective treatment options, which helps lower the financial burden on both patients and healthcare systems.
Saving Money with AI-Powered Personalized Treatment Plans
ArteraAI is another example of how AI is transforming cancer care. Their AI technology is helping doctors determine which cancer treatments are best for their patients, preventing unnecessary therapies. “AI is the most transformative tech we’ve had in a long time,” said Andre, founder of Artera. “The impact AI has had on the healthcare system is as powerful as computers have had on the healthcare system. With the ArteraAI Prostate Test, we can personalize treatments, reducing unnecessary costs while improving outcomes.”
The ArteraAI Prostate Test is fully reimbursed by Medicare under its established payment rate, meaning no out-of-pocket costs for eligible Medicare patients. This makes prostate cancer care more affordable and reduces financial strain during treatment.
AI in Surgery: Improving Efficiency and Reducing Costs
Surgery is often a key part of cancer treatment. Proprio, a company that has developed AI-powered surgical technology, provides surgeons with real-time data during operations, reducing the need for traditional imaging like CT scans and X-rays. This technology allows for faster surgeries, less strain on hospital staff, and quicker recovery times, which ultimately lowers the cost of care for patients.
AI Is Reducing Mortality Rates
Another breakthrough demonstrating AI’s transformative potential in cancer care is AION Biosystems’ TempShield device. A recent study showed that TempShield, an AI-powered wearable thermometer for oncology patients, can reduce mortality rates by an astonishing 90% among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and inpatient hospital stays by 79%. This innovation addresses a crucial, yet often overlooked, fact: more than 50% of cancer deaths are preventable because they result from infections like pneumonia rather than cancer itself.
If you spot a temperature spike (and hence an infection) early and treat it, you save lives. TempShield’s continuous temperature monitoring provides clinicians with alerts up to 72 hours before symptoms of infection appear, enabling earlier intervention.
“The real danger in cancer care isn’t just the disease—it’s the complications we miss,” said Sam Barend, CEO of AION Biosystems. “TempShield is a game-changer: small, simple, and affordable, and it’s helping save lives by catching infections before symptoms appear—just like the blood glucose monitor did for diabetes.”
AI IS Making Treatment More Affordable
AI is revolutionizing cancer care, not only improving outcomes but also making treatment more affordable. Early detection, personalized treatment, and more efficient surgeries all contribute to lowering the financial burden on patients while providing better care. With innovations like the ArteraAI Prostate Test and TempShield, AI is making cancer care smarter, more accessible, and more cost-effective for patients across the globe. As AI technologies continue to evolve, they will undoubtedly play an even greater role in both saving lives and reducing the financial strain of cancer treatment.