학술논문

Economic burden of skin cancer treatment in the USA: an analysis of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Data, 2012–2018
Document Type
Original Paper
Source
Cancer Causes & Control: An International Journal of Studies of Cancer in Human Populations. 34(3):205-212
Subject
Skin cancer treatment
Treated prevalence
Treatment costs
Medical Expenditure Panel Survey
Language
English
ISSN
0957-5243
1573-7225
Abstract
Purpose: We report the prevalence and economic cost of skin cancer treatment compared to other cancers overall in the USA from 2012 to 2018.Methods: Using the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey full-year consolidated data files and associated medical conditions and medical events files, we estimate the prevalence, total costs, and per-person costs of treatment for melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer among adults aged ≥ 18 years in the USA. To understand the changes in treatment prevalence and treatment costs of skin cancer in the context of overall cancer treatment, we also estimate the prevalence, total costs, and per-person costs of treatment for non-skin cancer among US adults.Results: During 2012–15 and 2016–18, the average annual number of adults treated for any skin cancer was 5.8 (95% CI: 5.2, 6.4) and 6.1 (95% CI: 5.6, 6.6) million, respectively, while the average annual number of adults treated for non-skin cancers rose from 10.8 (95% CI: 10.0, 11.5) to 11.9 (95% CI: 11.2, 12.6) million, respectively. The overall estimated annual costs rose from $8.0 (in 2012–2015) to $8.9 billion (in 2016–18) for skin cancer treatment and $70.2 to $79.4 billion respectively for non-skin cancer treatment.Conclusion: The prevalence and economic cost of skin cancer treatment modestly increased in recent years. Given the substantial cost of skin cancer treatment, continued public health attention to implementing evidence-based sun-safety interventions to reduce skin cancer risk may help prevent skin cancer and the associated treatment costs.