Economic burden of colorectal cancer in Iran in 2012

Background: Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in Iran. However little is known about the economic burden associated with this cancer in Iran. The aim of this study was to estimate the economic burden of colorectal cancer in Iran in the year 2012. Methods: We used the prevalence-based approach and estimated direct and indirect costs of all colorectal cancer cases in 2012. To estimate the total direct costs, we model the treatment process of colorectal cancer patients in initial and continuing phase in Iran. Then the average cost of each treatment in each phase was multiplied by the number of patients who received the treatment in the country in 2012. We used the human capital method to estimate the indirect costs. We extracted data from several sources, including national cancer registry reports, hospital records, literature review, occupational data, and interviews with experts. Results: The incidence and 5-year prevalence of colorectal cancer in Iran in 2012 were 7,163 and 22,591 individuals respectively. The economic burden of colorectal cancer in Iran was US$298,148,718 in 2012. Most of the cost (58%) was attributed to the mortality cost, and the direct medical cost accounted for 32.14 percent of the estimated total cost. The majority of the direct medical cost was associated with chemotherapy costs (50%). Conclusion: The economic burden of colorectal cancer in Iran is substantial and will increase in the future years.