TITLE:
Direct Medical Cost of Breast Cancer Care in Lome: Case of Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital and International Cancer Centre
AUTHORS:
Ameyo Ayoko Ketevi, Solange Adani-Ifè, Amouzou Komlan Sena, Lysiane Besssolo, Akila Bassowa, Logboh-Akey Edem, Adama Diakite, Komlan Alessi Andele, Bidilukinu Katende, Achraf Adou Rahim, Baguilane Douaguibe, Dédé Régine Diane Ajavon, Abdoul Samadou Aboubakari, Koffi Akpadza
KEYWORDS:
Breast Cancer, Cost, Treatment, Togo
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.10 No.10,
October
26,
2023
ABSTRACT: Introduction: With 11.7% new cases worldwide in 2020, female breast cancer is not only the first among gynaecological cancers, but also the first cancer worldwide. Beside, the disease stage during diagnosis is an important cost-predicting factor. Methods: It was a transversal descriptive study carried out in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit of the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital (SOUH) and in the International Cancer Centre of Lome (ICCL) during July and August of the year 2022. Results: Only 146 patients were enrolled in our study, with a participation rate of 30.87%. The mean age of the patients was 48.9 ± 11.7 years with extremes of 25 and 77 years. Fifty-one patients (39%) were resellers. Sixty-four patients (43.8%) attended secondary education. The median cost of breast cancer diagnosis was 182,080 FCFA with extremes ranging from 55,680 FCFA to 487,680 FCFA. The median cost of chemotherapy was 1,640,790 FCFA with extremes ranging from 199,820 FCFA to 5,208,885 FCFA. The median cost of surgical treatment of breast cancer was 230,320 FCFA with extremes ranging from 135,240 FCFA to 368,060 FCFA. The median cost of hormonal treatment was 206,200 FCFA with extremes ranging from 36,750 FCFA to 494,850 FCFA. The median cost of radiotherapy was was 1,765,000 FCFA with extremes ranging from 1,715,000 FCFA to 2,030,000 FCFA. Of the 146 patients, 46 had not undergone any other complementary tests apart from diagnostic tests. The median cost of the tests carried out as part of the pre-therapeutic assessment and follow-up was 21,500 FCFA with extremes ranging from 0 FCFA to 824,760 FCFA. The direct medical cost of breast cancer management was 119,200 FCFA with extremes ranging from 36,616 FCFA to 1,604,669 FCFA for patients with health insurance (17.1% of patients). Conclusion: The direct medical cost of breast cancer treatment is higher than the average household income in Togo. The question of what measures could be taken to increase adherence to treatment by patients living with this cancer and to reduce a large number of long-lost patients is still pending.