Indirect costs of breast cancer in Lithuania in 2008

Abstract

Introduction. The costs of breast cancer constitute a huge economic impact on so ciety. Indirect costs associated with breast cancer present a significant challenge to the health care system as well. This is primarily due to temporary and permanent disability, disability allowances and pensions or premature death. Aim. The objective of this study was to estimate annual indirect costs of breast can cer from a societal perspective in Lithuania for the year 2008. Materials and methods. A survey of 379 women treated in five major Lithuanian hospitals was conducted in the period of October 2008 – March 2009. Economic data concerning sick-leave and disability due to illness was gathered via survey; data on breast cancer mortality was obtained from the Lithuanian Health Information Center. Results and Discussion. Productivity loss due to premature death reached €14.280 million, productivity loss due to morbidity amounted to €27.036 million – the major portion of these costs accounted for a production loss due to permanent disability. Temporary disability allowances and permanent disability pensions were estimated at €6.116 million and €8.550 million, respectively. The paper also highlights the impact of the disease on the whole society and upon survi vors personally. Decreasing the production losses due to breast cancer should be emphasized. Effective treatment strategies should be implemented in order to balance the costs of the disease. Conclusions. Total indirect breast cancer costs, estimated from a societal perspective, reached €55.982 million in 2008 in Lithuania with an average annual amount