Abstract
Suboptimal diet is a preventable cause of cancer. We aimed to estimate the economic burden of diet-associated cancer among US adults. We used a Comparative Risk Assessment model to quantify the number of new cancer cases attributable to seven dietary factors among US adults ages 20 + years. A Markov cohort model estimated the 5-year medical costs for 15 diet-associated cancers diagnosed in 2015. We obtained dietary intake from 2013 to 2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, cancer incidence, and survival from 2008 to 2014 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program, and medical costs from 2007 to 2013 linked SEER-Medicare data. The estimated 5-year medical costs of new diet-associated cancer cases diagnosed in 2015 were $7.44 (2018 US$). Colorectal cancer had the largest diet-related 5-year medical costs of $5.32B. Suboptimal consumption of whole grains ($2.76B), dairy ($1.82B), and high consumption of processed meats ($1.5B) accounted for the highest medical costs. Per-person medical costs attributable to suboptimal diet vary by gender, race, and age group. Suboptimal diet contributes substantially to the economic burden of diet-associated cancers among US adults. This study highlights the need to implement population-based strategies to improve diet and reduce cancer burden in the US.
Highlights
The economic burden of cancer has increased substantially over the past two decades despite an overall decline in age-adjusted cancer incidence [1]
An understanding of the economic burden of cancer attributable to poor diet, including costs associated with specific dietary factors and cancer types, and stratified by age, sex and race is important to inform targeted evidence-based interventions to reduce cancer burden and costs in the United States (US)
We further evaluated disparities in diet-associated economic burden by age, sex, and race
Summary
The economic burden of cancer has increased substantially over the past two decades despite an overall decline in age-adjusted cancer incidence [1]. It has been estimated that the annual direct medical costs of cancer care will reach $158 billion in the United States (US) in 2020 [2]. These rapidly rising expenditures underline the importance of novel strategies to advance cancer prevention and reduce costs. An understanding of the economic burden of cancer attributable to poor diet, including costs associated with specific dietary factors and cancer types, and stratified by age, sex and race is important to inform targeted evidence-based interventions to reduce cancer burden and costs in the US
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
