Cost of Illness Study on Oral Cancer in Australia

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study is to estimate the economic burden of oral cancer in Australia from the societal perspective. Methods: The population consisted of the prevalence of lip and oral cavity cancer, and other lip, oral cavity, and pharynx cancers for ages 40 years and older. Healthcare costs of oral cancer were estimated using 2019–2020 Australian Disease Expenditure Data. Productivity losses were estimated using disability-adjusted life years, derived from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study and 2019 Australian gross domestic product per capita. Results: The estimated annual healthcare costs for oral cancer in Australia were approximately AUD$113.2 million. Over half of the total healthcare costs (54%) were attributable to public hospital admissions (AUD$61.2 million), followed by private hospital services (28%) and pharmaceutical benefits (8%). The total costs, including healthcare and productivity losses, were around AUD$2.1 billion. The productivity losses due to oral cancer were higher for males compared to females (AUD$1.5 billion versus AUD$0.6 billion). Conclusions: The study reveals a significant economic burden of oral cancer for 2019 in Australia at AUD$2.1 billion, largely due to productivity losses and public hospital admissions. This highlights the need for effective screening and prevention programs.