International Journal of Health Policy and Management

International Journal of Health Policy and Management

The Financial Cost of Preventive and Curative Programs for Breast Cancer: A Case Study of Women in Shiraz-Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Nahid Hatam 1
Vahid Keshtkar 2
Asiyeh Salehi 3
Hamidreza Rafei 1
1 School of Health Administration and Medical Information, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
2 Department of Community Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
3 Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, QLD, Australia
10.15171/ijhpm.2014.44
Abstract
Background
This cross-sectional study was conducted to compare the average costs of breast cancer screening and treatment among women with the age of 25 and over in Shiraz-Iran.
 
Methods
Three majors hospitals affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS) were selected for data collection. Financial documents and interviews with the hospitals’ financial officers were used for data collection.
 
Results
Finding shows that the total cost of screening would be 5,847,544.96 US dollars for age groups of 25–34 and 35 and above, demonstrating the huge expense of screening programs. On the other hand, the average cost of breast cancer treatment for each patient would be 3608.47, 996.89, and 311.47 US dollars for mastectomy, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, respectively. In addition, the total average cost for treatment of 2217 patients would be 1,466,988.9 US dollars, which is much less than screening programs expenses.
 
Conclusion
It is concluded that although screening can be effective for improving quality of life and treatment effectiveness, considering the high costs of screening, it is not economical in Iran. Screening methods within suitable intervals, and also considering patients’ medical history have been recommended by the present study.
Keywords
Breast Cancer
Screening
Treatment
Cost-Effectiveness
Subjects
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  • Received Date 14 January 2014
  • Revised Date 08 May 2014
  • Accepted Date 04 May 2014
  • First Published Date 04 May 2014
  • Published Date 01 May 2014