[The cost of treatment operable breast cancer]

The cost of primary treatment of operable breast cancer was investigated in 25 patients. As a result, appropriate cost-saving measures were instituted. In 1988 the total costs paid by the patients amounted to R40 690. The actual cost calculated according to the Scale of Benefits would have amounted to R175 035. The average subsidy per patient amounted to R5 373. If the minimum number of special investigations before treatment on the 258 new patients registered in 1988 had been performed an amount of R60 000 would have been saved. If the number of inpatient days could have been reduced R284 832 would have been saved. Doctor's fees, theatre fees and the cost of medicine are fixed. Long-term savings are possible only if breast cancer can be diagnosed early, if inpatient days are limited, and if all doctors and students are selective in their requests for special investigations.