OBJECTIVES: In 2020, the National Cancer Institute warned of an increased incidence of cancer morbidity and mortality. Recently, there have been major advances in cancer treatments, which have also resulted in higher costs associated with these treatments. This study aims to provide estimates for incremental costs and quality of life (HRQoL) of various types of cancers.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study is based on Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data from 2018. The study population was categorized based on self-reported cancer diagnoses. A series of comparisons were applied between cancer and non-cancer populations based on health care expenditures as well as HRQoL. MEPS defines expenditures as the sum of direct costs for care provided annually. Prior to the evaluation, the propensity score technique was applied to account for baseline differences between cancer and non-cancer patients. Further analysis was conducted to compare different types of cancer. All analyses accounted for MEPS sampling weights and the balanced repeated replication methods for the stratified and clustered survey design. The R Studio-integrated development environment was used to perform statistical analysis.

RESULTS: There were an estimated 326 million noninstitutionalized civilians in the U.S. in 2018 and 27.2 million reported cancer diagnoses (8.34%). The average health care expenditures for patients with cancer were higher (M = 15,611, SD = 794.3) compared to those without cancer (M = 5,195, SD = 116.0), demonstrating statistical significance; t(140) = 46, p <.001. The lowest physical component score was observed in patients with lung cancer (M = 36.95, SD = 2.03), and the lowest mental component score was associated with patients with cervical cancer (M = 47.43, SD = 1.00).

CONCLUSIONS: A detailed, descriptive, and inferential report of the cancer burden was provided. These figures are considered important tools for health economists and will improve the future allocation of resources to treat or prevent cancer.