Cost of the Disease in Patients with Breast Cancer Treated with Tamoxifen

Abstract

Introduction: The estimate of the National Cancer Institute José Alencar Gomes da Silva, for each year of the 2018-2019 biennium in Brazil, was 59,700 new cases of breast cancer, with an estimated risk of 56.33 cases per 100,000 women. In 2014, public expenditures on cancer care were approximately R$ 2.5 billion. Objective: To evaluate the impact of direct medical costs on breast cancer patients treated with tamoxifen using the Unified Health System. Method: Prospective, quantitative, retrospective, cost-of-disease study with prevalence and bottom-up approach. Data collection was performed at the Oncology Outpatient Clinic of the Hospital São Vicente in Curitiba, Paraná. Results: The mean cost of the treatment was R$ 14,497.70 for neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment and R$ 9,108.60 for palliative treatment. In relation to these variables, the cost of tamoxifen was the one that most impacted, in relation to the total cost of the treatment, representing more than 80% of this value. The mean annual cost of tamoxifen per patient was R$ 1,947.60. Conclusion: The average cost of treatment was high in relation to the Brazilian average salary of R$ 2,110.00 (IBGE-2017). The costs investigated in this study can help public health managers in strategies to rationalize expenditures, optimize capital and maintain patient care.