Ziting Wu , Yiwen Yu, Feng Xie, et al. BMC Health Serv Res. 2024 Sep 27;24(1): 1135
China accounts for 24% of newly diagnosed cancer cases and 30% of cancer-related deaths worldwide. This study aims to estimate the financial burden borne by patients and analyze the cost compositions of the leading cancers with the highest number of new cases in China. This cross-sectional cost-of-illness study analyzed patients diagnosed with lung, breast, colorectal, esophageal, liver, or gastric cancer, identified through electronic health records (EHRs) from 84 hospitals across 17 provinces in China. We recruited a total of 13,745 cancer patients across three treatment phases. The relapse/metastasis phase incurred the highest per case costs, varying from $8,890 to $14,572, while the follow-up phase was the least costly, ranging from $1,840 to $4,431. Being in the relapse/metastasis phase and having an advanced clinical stage of cancer at diagnosis were associated with significantly higher cost, while patients with low socioeconomic status borne lower costs. There was substantial financial burden on patients with six leading cancers in China.
15 Apr, 2026