Financial Burden of Managing Metastatic Breast Cancer in SubSaharan Africa.

Abstract

The financial burden of managing breast cancer is enormous. This financial hardship becomes more worrisome when patients have to pay out of pockets, especially in low income countries where state supports is poor or absent. This study thus determined the extent and effect of the financial hardship in managing metastatic breast cancers in a low income country located in Sub-Saharan African. We prospectively enrolled all newly diagnosed patients with metastatic breast cancers who were gainfully employed or not but could estimate their monthly income. A total of 78 patients were enrolled over a year period. The total cost of managing metastatic breast cancer (MBC) ranged between 31,750 and 122,000 naira (113 and 436 USD) with mean of 58,092 ± 26,944 naira(207± 96 USD) over a month period, while the estimated patient' discretionary monthly income (PDMI) ranged between 2,500 and 41,500 naira (9 and 148 USD) with mean of 13,347 ± 12,425 naira (48 ±44 USD) over a month period which shows a statistical significant difference between the mean estimated PDMI and the mean estimated cost of managing metastatic breast cancer (MBC) over the same period (p<0.001) About 86% of our patients were in financial debts during study. The financial burden of managing metastatic breast cancer is enormous and we suggest the need for screening programmes that will encourage early diagnosis and introduction/extension of health insurance scheme to wider population.