The Economic Burden of Cancer in Spain: A Literature Review

Abstract

Although cancer is known to impose a huge financial burden, a comprehensive review summarising the information available on the burden of cancer in Spain has not yet been published. The objective of this study was to conduct a descriptive review of the literature on cost of illness studies of cancer in Spain over the past 15 years to better understand the socioeconomic burden of the disease and better allocate resources and research funds. 27 articles were identified relative to healthcare costs attributable to prostate, breast, colorectal, lung, cervical, skin cancer, and soft tissue sarcoma. The majority of studies underestimated total costs, focusing just on direct costs. Additionally, cancer costs vary widely across studies as a result of the lack of a methodological consensus to estimate them. However, despite the variation in the costs reported, this updated literature synthesis demonstrated that cancer represents an important economic burden.