The economic burden of breast cancer in western Iran: a cross-sectional cost-of-illness study
Abstract Background Breast cancer is a significant global health challenge, affecting millions annually and imposing a considerable burden on healthcare systems and economies worldwide. This cross-sectional study aims to determine the economic impact of breast cancer in Lorestan Province, western Ir...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-00738-0 |
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| author | Banafsheh Darvishi Teli Meysam Behzadifar Mania Beiranvand Aziz Rezapour Seyed Jafar Ehsanzadeh Samad Azari Ahad Bakhtiari Payam Haghighatfard Mariano Martini Maryam Saran Masoud Behzadifar |
| author_facet | Banafsheh Darvishi Teli Meysam Behzadifar Mania Beiranvand Aziz Rezapour Seyed Jafar Ehsanzadeh Samad Azari Ahad Bakhtiari Payam Haghighatfard Mariano Martini Maryam Saran Masoud Behzadifar |
| author_sort | Banafsheh Darvishi Teli |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Breast cancer is a significant global health challenge, affecting millions annually and imposing a considerable burden on healthcare systems and economies worldwide. This cross-sectional study aims to determine the economic impact of breast cancer in Lorestan Province, western Iran. Methods A retrospective cost-of-illness analysis utilizing a cross-sectional design was performed from November 2023 to July 2024. Data were collected using patient medical records and telephonic interviews. Costs were categorized into direct medical costs, direct non-medical costs, and indirect costs. A bottom-up approach was employed for cost calculation from a societal viewpoint, with a prevalence-based analysis. Results The study analyzed 525 patients with an average age of 42.74 ± 11.75 years. The total economic burden of breast cancer was estimated at $5,394,409.13, with a mean of $10,275.07 per patient. Direct medical costs comprised 70.2% of the total expenses, primarily attributed to hospitalization, chemotherapy, and laboratory tests. Direct non-medical costs, including accommodation and transportation for patients and their companions, accounted for 12.5%. Indirect costs, largely stemming from productivity losses due to morbidity and mortality, represented 17.3% of the total burden. Conclusion Breast cancer imposes a substantial economic burden on patients and their families in Lorestan Province. Enhancing health insurance coverage, providing government subsidies for treatment, and improving healthcare infrastructure to offer advanced diagnostic and treatment options locally are critical steps to alleviate this burden. Early detection and prevention programs can facilitate earlier diagnosis and reduce treatment costs. Comprehensive policies addressing both medical and non-medical expenses are necessary to improve patients’ quality of life and lessen the financial challenges associated with breast cancer in Iran. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f1e5ddcfd2844bc792d51d9e75242d7f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2072-1315 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-f1e5ddcfd2844bc792d51d9e75242d7f2025-01-26T12:39:17ZengBMCJournal of Health, Population and Nutrition2072-13152025-01-0144111110.1186/s41043-025-00738-0The economic burden of breast cancer in western Iran: a cross-sectional cost-of-illness studyBanafsheh Darvishi Teli0Meysam Behzadifar1Mania Beiranvand2Aziz Rezapour3Seyed Jafar Ehsanzadeh4Samad Azari5Ahad Bakhtiari6Payam Haghighatfard7Mariano Martini8Maryam Saran9Masoud Behzadifar10Health Management and Economics Research Center, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, University of Medical SciencesSocial Determinants of Health Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Surgery, School of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical SciencesHealth Management and Economics Research Center, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, University of Medical SciencesEnglish Language Department, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical SciencesHospital Management Research Center, Health Management Research Institute, University of Medical SciencesHealth Equity Research Center (HERC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS)Health Management and Economics Research Center, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Health Sciences, University of GenoaSocial Determinants of Health Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical SciencesSocial Determinants of Health Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background Breast cancer is a significant global health challenge, affecting millions annually and imposing a considerable burden on healthcare systems and economies worldwide. This cross-sectional study aims to determine the economic impact of breast cancer in Lorestan Province, western Iran. Methods A retrospective cost-of-illness analysis utilizing a cross-sectional design was performed from November 2023 to July 2024. Data were collected using patient medical records and telephonic interviews. Costs were categorized into direct medical costs, direct non-medical costs, and indirect costs. A bottom-up approach was employed for cost calculation from a societal viewpoint, with a prevalence-based analysis. Results The study analyzed 525 patients with an average age of 42.74 ± 11.75 years. The total economic burden of breast cancer was estimated at $5,394,409.13, with a mean of $10,275.07 per patient. Direct medical costs comprised 70.2% of the total expenses, primarily attributed to hospitalization, chemotherapy, and laboratory tests. Direct non-medical costs, including accommodation and transportation for patients and their companions, accounted for 12.5%. Indirect costs, largely stemming from productivity losses due to morbidity and mortality, represented 17.3% of the total burden. Conclusion Breast cancer imposes a substantial economic burden on patients and their families in Lorestan Province. Enhancing health insurance coverage, providing government subsidies for treatment, and improving healthcare infrastructure to offer advanced diagnostic and treatment options locally are critical steps to alleviate this burden. Early detection and prevention programs can facilitate earlier diagnosis and reduce treatment costs. Comprehensive policies addressing both medical and non-medical expenses are necessary to improve patients’ quality of life and lessen the financial challenges associated with breast cancer in Iran.https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-00738-0Breast cancerEconomic burdenCost of illnessHealth policyCross-sectional studyIran |
| spellingShingle | Banafsheh Darvishi Teli Meysam Behzadifar Mania Beiranvand Aziz Rezapour Seyed Jafar Ehsanzadeh Samad Azari Ahad Bakhtiari Payam Haghighatfard Mariano Martini Maryam Saran Masoud Behzadifar The economic burden of breast cancer in western Iran: a cross-sectional cost-of-illness study Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition Breast cancer Economic burden Cost of illness Health policy Cross-sectional study Iran |
| title | The economic burden of breast cancer in western Iran: a cross-sectional cost-of-illness study |
| title_full | The economic burden of breast cancer in western Iran: a cross-sectional cost-of-illness study |
| title_fullStr | The economic burden of breast cancer in western Iran: a cross-sectional cost-of-illness study |
| title_full_unstemmed | The economic burden of breast cancer in western Iran: a cross-sectional cost-of-illness study |
| title_short | The economic burden of breast cancer in western Iran: a cross-sectional cost-of-illness study |
| title_sort | economic burden of breast cancer in western iran a cross sectional cost of illness study |
| topic | Breast cancer Economic burden Cost of illness Health policy Cross-sectional study Iran |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-00738-0 |
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