The economics of cancer care

Considerable attention has been paid to the high cost of cancer care. These medical services are expensive, accounting for 10% of total health care expenditures. Factors contributing to high costs include (1) the likelihood that anticancer treatments will lead to costly medical complications: (2) intensive research and development necessary to ensure rapid introduction of a broad array of treatment options; and (3) specialized facilities required for delivery of care. Such efforts as rationing of care and utilizing practice guidelines have been ineffective in controlling costs. To realize savings, we must develop new therapies with sufficient specificity so that anticancer interventions do not impair the patient's general health.