HEALTH AND ECONOMIC BURDEN OF BREAST CANCER MORTALITY IN YOUNGER WOMEN AGED 18-44 YEARS IN THE UNITED STATES, 1970-2012
Author(s)
Ekwueme D, Guy G, Rim SH, White A, Dean H
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
OBJECTIVES: Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women age <50 years. Published studies on the health and productivity effects of breast cancer mortality among younger women are limited. Purpose: To assess trends in breast cancer mortality rates among young women aged 18-44 years, estimate years of potential life lost (YPLL), and the value of productivity losses due to premature mortality. METHODS: Age-adjusted rates and rate ratios (RRs) were calculated using 1970-2012 U.S. mortality data. Changes in breast cancer mortality rates over time were assessed using Joinpoint regression modeling. YPLL was calculated using number of cancer deaths and the remaining life expectancy at the age of death. Value of productivity losses was estimated using the number of deaths and the present value of future lifetime earnings. RESULTS: From 1970 through 2012, the age-adjusted breast cancer mortality rate among young women was 12.02/100,000. Rates were higher in the Northeast (RR = 1.03; 95% CI, 1.02-1.04). The annual decline in breast cancer mortality rates among blacks was smaller (-0.68%) compared with whites (-2.02%) and all race/ethnicity (-1.77%). The total number of deaths associated with breast cancer was 225,866, which accounted for an estimated 7.98 million YPLL. The estimated total productivity loss in 2008 was $5.49 billion and individual lifetime lost earnings were $1.10 million. CONCLUSIONS: Breast cancer mortality among young women is associated with substantial health and economic burden. Considering the effect of breast cancer on women of working-age and the disproportionate impact on black women, more aggressive interventions with multiple strategies are needed to help reduce these burdens, improve survival and in turn reduce productivity costs associated with premature death.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2015-11, ISPOR Europe 2015, Milan, Italy
Value in Health, Vol. 18, No. 7 (November 2015)
Code
PCN116
Topic
Economic Evaluation
Topic Subcategory
Cost/Cost of Illness/Resource Use Studies, Work & Home Productivity - Indirect Costs
Disease
Oncology