Always confirm costs with your healthcare facility and/or insurance coverage
Cancer screenings save lives — but let’s not pretend they’re always accessible or affordable. Whether you’re uninsured, underinsured, or just trying to budget for preventive care, the costs vary wildly depending on the test, your risk factors, and your insurance situation.
Here’s what you can expect to pay — and when you might not have to pay at all.
💡 Quick Answer:
Cancer Screening |
With Insurance |
Without Insurance |
|---|---|---|
Mammogram (Breast Cancer) |
$0 (preventive) |
$150 – $350 |
Colonoscopy (Colon Cancer) |
$0 (preventive) |
$1,000 – $3,000 |
Pap Smear (Cervical Cancer) |
$0 (preventive) |
$100 – $250 |
HPV Test |
$0 – $40 copay |
$80 – $150 |
PSA Test (Prostate Cancer) |
Often $0 |
$50 – $150 |
Low-Dose CT Scan (Lung Cancer) |
$0 (if high-risk) |
$250 – $600 |
Skin Cancer Screening |
Not always covered |
$150 – $300 |
Genetic Testing (BRCA, etc.) |
Sometimes covered |
$300 – $5,000+ |
🧾 With insurance: Many tests = free under the ACA
❗ Without insurance: Expect to pay hundreds to thousands depending on test type
🔍 Cancer Screenings by Type (and What They Cost)
🩺 Breast Cancer (Mammogram)
- Recommended Age: 40+ (earlier if high risk)
- Cost (No Insurance): $150 – $350
- Free Option? Yes — ACA requires coverage for women 40–74 every 1–2 years
💩 Colon Cancer (Colonoscopy / Cologuard)
- Recommended Age: 45+
- Colonoscopy Cost (No Insurance): $1,000 – $3,000
- Cologuard (At-home test): ~$600 (may be covered)
- Free Option? Yes — preventive colonoscopies are covered at age 45+
👩⚕️ Cervical Cancer (Pap Smear / HPV)
- Recommended Age: 21+ (every 3–5 years)
- Cost (No Insurance): Pap Smear: $100–$250, HPV Test: $80–$150
- Free Option? Yes — covered for all women 21–65 with most insurance
👨 Prostate Cancer (PSA Test)
- Recommended Age: 50+ (or earlier with risk)
- Cost (No Insurance): $50 – $150
- Free Option? Sometimes — coverage varies by state and plan
🫁 Lung Cancer (Low-Dose CT)
- Recommended Age: 50–80 if smoker/heavy former smoker
- Cost (No Insurance): $250 – $600
- Free Option? Yes, for high-risk patients under ACA
🧬 Genetic Testing (BRCA, Lynch Syndrome)
- Cost (No Insurance): $300 – $5,000+ depending on panel
- Covered? Only if you meet high-risk criteria and have physician approval
💳 Can You Get Screenings Without Insurance?
Yes — but you’ll need to be smart about it.
Where to Look |
Services Offered |
Cost |
|---|---|---|
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) |
Mammograms, Pap, Colon Screening |
Low or sliding scale |
Planned Parenthood |
Pap, HPV, Breast exams |
Sliding scale |
State Health Departments |
Varies by state |
Often free or low-cost |
National Breast & Cervical Cancer Program (NBCCEDP) |
Pap, Mammograms |
Free for eligible women |
Colorectal Cancer Control Program (CRCCP) |
Colonoscopies |
Free for eligible adults |
💡 Don’t wait because of cost. There are programs out there.
🧠 Pro Tips to Save Money
- ✅ Ask if the test is considered “preventive” — that can mean $0 with insurance
- ✅ Negotiate cash pricing if uninsured — some clinics offer huge discounts
- ✅ Check nonprofit clinics or mobile screening vans in your area
- ✅ Ask your doc about at-home test options for colon, cervical, and genetic screening
💭 Final Thoughts: Can You Afford NOT to Get Screened?
Let’s be blunt: cancer doesn’t care if you’re broke. Skipping a $200 test today could mean a $200,000 diagnosis later. Screenings aren’t just about prevention — they’re about buying time, options, and a hell of a better prognosis.
🔚 Bottom Line
- With insurance? Most cancer screenings = $0
- Without insurance? You’re looking at $100 – $3,000+ depending on the test
- Don’t pay full price blindly — use public programs, at-home kits, and sliding-scale clinics
- Early detection = longer life, lower costs, and more options
