Household treatment cost of breast cancer and cost coping strategies from a tertiary facility in Ghana

Abstract

Breast cancer is the number one cause of cancer death in women globally. According to the Global cancer registry, there were 2.3 million new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in 2020 worldwide, accounting for 25% of all cancer cases in women. The data on the cost burden of breast cancer on households is limited in Ghana, it is therefore imperative that it is estimated to ensure effective planning and provision of adequate resources for breast cancer treatment. This cost-of-illness study estimates the household treatment cost of breast cancer and the cost coping strategies used by patients. This cost-of-illness study was conducted at the surgical unit (Surgical unit 2) of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), with 74 randomly selected patients and their accompanying caregiver(s). Data was collected using structured questionnaire on direct, indirect and intangible costs incurred and coping strategies used by patients and their households. The results are presented in descriptive and analytic cost statistics. Most of the patients were aged 40–69 years and were married with moderate education levels. Nearly 57% of patients earn an income of USD 370 or less per month. The average household expenditure was USD 990.40 (medical cost: USD 789.78; non-medical cost: USD 150.73; and indirect cost: USD 50). The publicly provided mechanism was the most utilized cost coping strategy. The direct, indirect and intangible costs associated with breast cancer treatment had significant financial and psychological implications on patients and their households. Moreover, poorer families are more likely to use the publicly provided strategies to cope with the increasing cost of breast cancer treatment.

Economic burden of breast cancer: a case of Southern Iran

“…Breast cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when breast tissue cells grow and divide in an uncontrolled way, forming a mass of tissue called a tumor [ 1 , 2 ]. Breast cancer is the first cause of death from cancer in women worldwide [ 3 ]. According to the latest report of the World Health Organization (WHO), about 2.3 million new cases of breast cancer were registered in 2020, and 685,000 deaths from this disease were reported in the same year [ 4 ].…”

An assessment of the direct and indirect costs of breast cancer treatment in leading cancer hospitals in Ghana

“…This was because the study was limited to expenditure for a single month, June 2016, which misrepresents the economic burden of breast cancer treatment. Adanu [ 24 ] on the other hand estimated an average monthly cost of GHC5,407.4 for breast cancer treatment in 2018.…”

“…In Eghdami et al’s [ 17 ] work, direct medical costs constituted 59% of the total cost of gastric cancer in Iran while indirect costs constituted 28%, and direct nonmedical costs constituted 13% of the total cost. In Adanu [ 24 ], direct medical cost constituted 79.8%, direct non-medical cost was 15.2% and indirect cost constituted only 5% of the cost.…”

“…of the total cost. In Adanu [24], direct medical cost constituted 79.8%, direct non-medical cost was 15.2% and indirect cost constituted only 5% of the cost. Several factors explain the high component of indirect cost in our study compared to other studies reviewed.…”

Availability and Geographic Access to Hospital-Based Breast Cancer Diagnostic Services in Ghana

“…15 , 16 To achieve this, first, a thorough understanding of the barriers to accessing breast cancer early detection and diagnostic services is required. In Ghana, several barriers have been cited, including lack of community knowledge and misconceptions of breast cancer to allow for early recognition, 17 , 18 perceived and actual costs associated with seeking care, 19 , 20 and distance required to travel to access available services, 21 , 22 among others. Currently, geographic availability and access to breast cancer early diagnostic services in Ghana are not well defined.…”