Articles

The direct medical cost of breast cancer: a case study in one hospital

BJMO - volume 14, issue 1, january 2020

H. Lemhouer MSc, D. Verhoeven MD, PhD, V. Corluy MSc, D. De Graeve PhD, MSc

SUMMARY

In this study direct medical costs of breast cancer were calculated in one Belgian hospital for the diagnostic phase and for the treatment phase up to 365 days after diagnosis. The study included 107 breast cancer patients diagnosed between July 2015 and December 2015. The treatment phase is much more costlier than the diagnostic phase, representing respectively 96% and 4% of total expenditures. Important differences in treatment cost are observed according to the stage of diagnosis. The results from this study inform hospital executives and policymakers to determine further decisions for financing breast cancer care.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2020;14(1):22–27)

Read more