Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer in Canadian Province: Estimated Health-Care Costs
Posted: Thursday, May 23, 2019
The escalating incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer can result in significant morbidity, raising concern from both clinical and economic perspectives. A study published in Current Oncology evaluated patients treated for non-melanoma skin cancer in Saskatchewan, Canada. The investigators found that the growth rate of total outpatient costs was 12.08% annually from 2004 to 2008, whereas the incidence increased by 3.22% annually.
“The difference in growth rates could indicate that incidence was not the sole driver of the cost growth in [non-melanoma skin cancer] during the period of interest,” stated David A. Tran, MA, a health economist with the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, Saskatoon, and colleagues.
The investigators utilized the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency’s cancer registry to identify patients diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer between 2004 and 2008. Treatment services and costs were based on physician billing claims, which detailed physician services performed in an outpatient setting. Of note, the data evaluated did not capture non-surgical treatments related to non-melanoma skin cancer, such as radiotherapy and pharmacotherapy, and inpatient services.
Total outpatient costs grew 12.08% annually, from $527,459 in 2004 to $845,955 in 2008; the mean outpatient cost per person was estimated at $397.86. Differences in the cost-per-person estimates were observed when results were stratified by skin cell type ($403.41 for basal cell carcinoma vs. $377.85 for squamous cell carcinoma), lesion site ($425.27 for the face vs. $317.80 for an upper limb), and geographic location ($415.07 urban vs. $363.48 rural). The majority of treatment was delivered by general practice and plastic surgery/otolaryngology physicians (92.14%), whereas dermatology delivered just 6.33% of services.
“The present research represents a first step in understanding the cost burden of [non-melanoma skin cancer] in Saskatchewan,” concluded the researchers. “Understanding the cost of [non-melanoma skin cancer] could inform decision-makers about the potential for investments in skin cancer prevention.”
Disclosure: The study authors reported no conflicts of interest.
