The Gallup analysis finds the largest concentrations in the West â and not just in the expected places like San Francisco and Portland, Ore. Among the nationâs 50 largest metropolitan areas, Denver and Salt Lake City are also in the top 10.
The most significant cost increase occurred in treatment for people with melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer. The study found that the cost of treatment jumped 106 percent, rising from $2,320 annually to $4,789 annually.
Other PD-1 drugs are expected to cost a similar amount, which could fuel more debate about the affordability of new medicines. According to the National Cancer Institute, an estimated 76,100 Americans will be diagnosed with melanoma and 9,710 will die from the disease this year.