Ze Cong, Oth Tran, James Nelson,et al. Health Economics and Health Policy (2022) 20:845–856
The total economic burden of cancer reflects direct and indirect costs, including productivity loss due to employment change, absenteeism, and presenteeism of patients and caregivers. During the first year after diagnosis, compared to patients without metastases, significantly higher proportions of patients with metastases had employment decrease and Short-Term Disability or Long-term Disability claims (p < 0.001). The mean total number of days missing from work for patients with versus without metastases was 33.39 versus 14.91 (ratio = 2.40), 64.05 versus 27.15 (ratio = 2.36), and 105.93 versus 46.29 (ratio = 2.29) days within 3, 6, and 12 months after diagnosis, respectively. Estimates of indirect cost differences between the two groups ranged from $6,877 to $22,283 in the first year. Earlier detection of cancer may reduce productivity loss of patients and indirect costs by initiating treatment before cancer progresses to late stage.
24 Mar, 2026