OBJECTIVES: To estimate the economic burden of the disease on patients with gynecological cancer and their caregivers, treated at the National Institute of Cancerology (INCan), associated with medical care difficulties due to the Covid-19 pandemic from the social perspective.

METHODS: This was performed throughout a transversal study, a self-administered questionnaire, to identify and estimate the medical costs, direct and indirect and the perceived quality of life in patients and their caregivers. There were patients included, diagnosed, and confirmed with gynecological cancer treated at INCAn. Statistical analysis with central tendency and dispersion measures for parametric and non-parametric variables were applied.

RESULTS: A total of 90 questionnaires between November 22nd to December 9th, 2021 were fully completed The age average was 52.8 (25-79) years old, the main characteristics were: married 35.5%, housewives 57.8% and 26.7% were from Mexico City. The diagnosis distribution was as follows: ovary cancer (33.3%), cervix cancer (23.3%) and endometrial cancer (21.1%). Fifty-two percent of the patients needed a caregiver during the pandemic, being a relative with no economic compensation in all cases. 51.1% of the patients reported that all services are covered by the INCan, in contrast with 48.9% of the patients who mention that none of the services or a few are covered, 74% had to buy prescribed drugs, with an average monthly expenditure of $5,213.74 Mexican pesos. It was estimated that the average monthly expenditure, direct and indirect was up to $16,867.84 approximately, for prescribed drugs $5.213.74. 71.1% of the patients mention that their health condition was not affected by the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak.

CONCLUSIONS: The 48.9% made expenditure to give their condition a follow-up during the Covid-19 pandemic, in average $16,867.84 monthly, and 72.1% affirm that the pandemic outbreak had no impact on their health condition.