Healthcare costs associated with prostate cancer: estimates from a population-based study

OBJECTIVE To estimate the total healthcare costs and costs attributable to prostate cancer across all stages of disease, and to determine the predictors of those costs, as describing the cost of care for patients with prostate cancer is useful to understand the economic burden of illness, explore patterns of care, and provide reliable cost data for economic evaluations. METHODS We estimated direct medical costs for 42 484 men diagnosed with prostate cancer in Ontario, Canada between 1995 and 2002 using linked administrative data. The observation time was divided into five phases: (I) before diagnosis (6 months before); (II) initial care (12 months after diagnosis); (III) continuing care; (IV) pre-terminal care (from 18 to 6 months before death); and (V) terminal care (6 months before death). Attributable costs were estimated by comparing costs in cases to matched controls. RESULTS The total direct costs per 100 days (in $Canadian, 2004) were: Phase I $1297; II $3289; III $1495; IV $5629; and V $16 020. Prostate cancer-attributable costs accounted for 72% of total costs in the 12-month period after diagnosis (II, $2366), but < 35% of total costs in phases III to V ($398, $1977 and $3140, respectively). An advanced stage at diagnosis, being older at diagnosis, and higher comorbidity were associated with increased costs. CONCLUSION Prostate cancer is associated with increased direct healthcare costs over the natural history of the disease. Costs are highest around two events, cancer diagnosis and cancer death. Future research should evaluate costs borne by private insurers and patients, evaluate the effects of patient and system variables on lifetime costs, and explore differences in end-of-life healthcare costs across countries.