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

Background This cross-sectional study was conducted to compare the average costs of breast cancer screening and treatment among women with the age of ۲۵ 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 ۵,۸۴۷,۵۴۴.۹۶ US dollars for age groups of ۲۵–۳۴ and ۳۵ 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 ۳۶۰۸.۴۷, ۹۹۶.۸۹, and ۳۱۱.۴۷ US dollars for mastectomy, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, respectively. In addition, the total average cost for treatment of ۲۲۱۷ patients would be ۱,۴۶۶,۹۸۸.۹ 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.

کلیدواژه ها:

Breast Cancer ، Screening ، Treatment ، Cost-Effectiveness