Economic Burden of Breast Cancer in Women: A Study at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that grows in the cells of the breast. A malignant tumor is a group of cancer cells that can invade surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to distant areas of the body. Globocan puts the annual estimated incidence rate of breast cancer in Ghana at 25.8 cases per 100,000 women and mortality rate at 15.2 deaths per 100,000 women. In Ghana, treatment of cancer at all stages in combination with mammography screening cost $2000-6000 per Disability Adjusted Life Years. However, there is a paucity of studies on the economic burden of the disease. Objective: The objective of this study was to estimate the economic burden of breast cancer in women attending the Korle- Bu Teaching Hospital. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out using the cost of illness analytic approach. Data was collected from 56 women with breast cancer attending the Oncology Unit(s) of the Department of Surgery at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. The study estimated the direct and indirect cost and described the intangible cost associated with breast cancer. Results: These results show that the mean monthly cost was GHS714.43 (USD183.19) with 90.54% being direct cost. Further, a total of 2,496 productive hours were lost to 82.14% breast cancer patients in the study sample who were economically active. Conclusion: The economic burden of breast cancer in patients and their household need to be addressed since it is a heavy burden on them. Policies and programs are needed to tackle the burden associated with the disease.