The cost of lost productivity due to premature cancer-related mortality: an economic measure of the cancer burden in Ireland

Hanly, Paul and Sharp, Linda (2014) The cost of lost productivity due to premature cancer-related mortality: an economic measure of the cancer burden in Ireland. In: 28th Annual Irish Economic Association Conference, 8-9 May 2014, Castletroy Park Hotel, Limerick. (Submitted)

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Abstract

Background
Cancer is currently the leading cause of death in economically developed countries. Future growth in new cancer cases is projected due to population growth and ageing, particularly in European countries such as Ireland. These trends imply that the burden of cancer is also set to rise. Most measures of the cancer burden take a population-health perspective. Cancer also has a significant economic impact on society. To assess this economic burden, we estimated years of potential productive life lost (YPPLL) and costs of lost productivity due to premature cancer-related mortality in Ireland.

Methods
All cancers combined and the 10 sites accounting for most deaths in men and in women were considered. To compute YPPLL, deaths in 5-year age-bands were multiplied by average working-life expectancy. Valuation of costs, using the human capital approach, involved multiplying YPPLL by age-and-gender specific gross wages, and adjusting for unemployment and workforce participation. Costs were expressed in €2009.

Results
Total YPPLL was lower in men than women (men=10,873; women=12,119). Premature cancer-related mortality costs were higher in men (men: total cost=€369 million, cost/death=€322,488, cost/YPPLL=€33,962; women: total cost=€224 million, cost/death=€202,472, cost/YPPLL=€18,515). Lung cancer had the highest premature mortality cost (€102.7 million; 17.3% of total costs), followed by cancers of the breast (€64.4 million; 10.8%), colorectum (€59.0 million; 9.9%) and brain & CNS (€45.9 million: 7.7%). The total economic cost of premature cancer-related mortality in Ireland amounted to €593.6 million or 0.4% of gross domestic product.

Conclusion
Lost productivity costs due to cancer-related premature mortality are significant in Ireland amounting to over half a billion euros in 2009. Findings also provide an indication of the potential cost savings that could be accrued from increased prevention, earlier diagnosis through population-based screening and advances in effective treatments.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Subjects:	Q Science > Life sciences > Medical sciences > Pathology > Tumors > Cancer H Social Sciences > Economics > Microeconomics > Production (Economic theory) > Industrial productivity > Labor productivity
Divisions:	School of Business > Staff Research and Publications
Depositing User:	Caoimhe Ní Mhaicín
Date Deposited:	16 Sep 2014 13:24
Last Modified:	15 May 2018 14:33
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/1568

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