Economic impact analysis of cancer in the health system of Brazil: model based in public database

Abstract

Objectives: To analyze the economic impact of cancer in the Brazilian health system from 2010 to 2015 and to forecast the impact until 2020. Methods: Public databases were used to estimate cancer costs to which were added hospitalization costs, outpatient visits and treatments. Indirect costs were added to the calculation of income loss caused by neoplasms morbidity or mortality. Results: The estimated costs amounted to INT$ 59.7 billion in the year 2015 with an exponential increase from 2010 to 2015. The costs of mortality represent 63% of total costs of cancer, direct costs account for 20% and morbidity, 17%. Health expenditures are estimated at 9.5% of GDP and the average cost with cancer was estimated at 1.7% of GDP per year. It is expected that cancer costs reach approximately INT$ 81 billion in 2020. Conclusion: Cancer costs have increased significantly over the past five years and will increase until 2020.