OBJECTIVES: Brest cancer is the most frequent cancer in Chinese women. The aim of this study is to understand the cost of breast cancer in China through systematic literature review.

METHODS: An extensive literature search was performed in PubMed, CNKI and Wanfang data to identify studies on cost and economic burden of breast cancer in China. Articles published in both English and Chinese from January 2010 to December 2017 were retrieved and reviewed. All local currency costs were converted to US dollars using current exchange rate.

RESULTS: A total of 15 studies were included in this review. All studies are restricted to hospital or regional level. There’s no report on the national total cost of breast cancer. Cost varies in different regions due to unbalanced socioeconomic development. Cost per hospitalization ranged from USD 1576 to 4835, Annual direct medical cost ranged from USD 3807 to 10052. Drug cost is the most important component in direct medical cost, which accounted for 42.4% up to 88.2% in total cost.

CONCLUSIONS: Breast cancer is associated with significant direct medical cost and represents a major burden in Chinese women. A national level cost of illness study is needed in order to learn the countrywide economic burden and help future decision making on breast cancer management.