Ethical Spending in Addressing Cancer Treatment, Screening, and Prevention

Abstract

Focusing on the U.S., this chapter discuss the economic aspects that accompany cancer spending in case of prevention, screening, and treatment. While these three facets are all important in promoting patient health and safety, screening and prevention have been shown to have much lower cost compared with cancer therapeutics or in eliminating the health hazards in low- and moderate-income housing in New York City. The distribution of healthcare funds, however, does not accurately reflect the differences in impact on survival and quality of life. Finally, by focusing on treatments, they critically discuss how the increasing use of robotic-assisted surgery–expensive for healthcare facilities–may not be to the benefit of patients.