ECONOMIC BURDEN OF DISABILITY ADJUSTED LIFE YEARS (DALYs) OF CANCER IN TURKEY

Abstract

Aim: Cancer is one of the leading causes of premature death in the world. However, the economic burden of cancer at the country level is unknown. This study aims to estimate the economic loss of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost due to cancer between 1990-2019 in Turkey. Methods: The economic value of DALYs lost to cancer has been estimated using the human capital approach. This study used disability-adjusted life years and gross domestic product (GDP) per capita to estimate economic loss due to DALYs in Turkey. Results: Total economic loss due to cancer due to DALYs in 1990 was estimated as $4,783,030,609 (CI: $3,559,877,407- $6,157,521,799). In 2019, the total economic loss due to DALYs-related cancer was estimated to be $24,503,131,327 (CI: $1,674,808,440- $30,925,175,577). While the economic value of DALYs lost due to cancer was 3.17 (CI: 2.36-4.09) % of GDP in 1990 in Turkey, it was 3.22 (CI: 2.45-4.06) % in 2019. Conclusion: According to the findings obtained from the research findings, an economic value of roughly 3.2% of the GDP in Turkey shows that due to cancers. The first cancer, which constitutes the highest economic value of DALYs are lung cancer (28%) with 6.8 billion USD. This finding necessitates the meticulous implementation of Turkey’s national cancer policy for cancer prevention in Turkey.