Economic Burden of Gynecological Cancers in Iran

Abstract

Background: Gynecological cancers (GCs) are an important cause of morbidity and mortality among women worldwide. The incidence of cancer is increasing in Iran, and according to statistics, it has become the most important cause of mortality. This study aimed to assess the economic burden of GCs, including cervical, ovarian, and endometrial cancers, in Iran in 2014.

Methods: We used a prevalence-based cost of illness methodology to investigate the annual healthcare cost of GCs and to determine the productivity loss. The productivity loss was estimated, using the human capital approach. We obtained our data from a referral hospital for the year 2014; we also used expert opinion and occupational and statistical data. To estimate direct medical cost, we used bottom-up approach and we estimated the average cost of each procedure, multiplied by the number of patients receiving the procedure.

Results: The total cost of GCs in Iran was estimated at $51 million in 2014. The direct costs were $32 million, and indirect costs were $19 million of the total annual cost. The total cost of ovarian cancer was the highest among 3 cancers.

Conclusions: Knowing that the cost of GCs has a significant impact on the burden of disease and imposes an economic burden on the country could force policy makers to allocate their resource in the prevention programs and new approach in patient's management. This could lead to diagnose more GCs in the early stages, reduce mortality, and increase the quality of life.

Keywords: cervical cancer; economic burden; endometrial cancer; gynecological cancers; ovarian cancer.