Moscow, Russia - By the end of 2012, approximately 2% of Russia’s total population was registered as cancer patients. The economic burden of cancer in the country, however, is still unknown.
A study performed at the
Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration in Moscow provided the first estimation of economic burden of melanoma, prostate, ovarian, and kidney cancer in Russia.
The researchers calculated cancer-related costs in Russia based on federal statistic surveillance, regional cancer registries, and expert opinion. The results showed that the lowest aggregate annual cost was found for melanoma, at €17.48 million, and the highest, €84.52 million, for prostate cancer. Estimations for kidney and ovarian cancers were €45.33 and €45.56 million, respectively. It was found that the economic impact of cancer is more prominent during the first year following diagnosis. A considerable part of the cost lies outside the health sector, in social care costs and productivity loss.
Professor Vitaly Omelianovsky, MD, PhD, Head of the Center for the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, says: “The economic burden of cancer in Russia seems low compared to other countries due to the low tariffs for medical services. However, we did not assess out-of-pocket spending, which may become a topic for future research.”
The full study, “
The Cost of Melanoma and Kidney, Prostate, and Ovarian Cancers in Russia,” is published in
Value in Health Regional Issues.