OBJECTIVE: To determine the cost burden to government and patients for individuals with multiple skin cancers. METHODS: We used self-reported baseline data on socio-demographics, phenotype and sun exposure behaviours from participants in the QSkin Sun and Health Study with at least one histopathologically confirmed keratinocyte cancer or melanoma (n=5,673). Linkage to Australian Medicare data (2011-2014) provided resource data and government and out-of-pocket patient costs. Generalised linear models examined costs by frequency of skin cancer groups separately for melanoma and keratinocyte cancer. RESULTS: Over three years, 539 participants were diagnosed with melanoma (11% had ≥2 melanomas) and 5,134 participants were treated for keratinocyte cancers (10% had ≥6). Median Medicare costs per person were $1,325 (maximum $6,117) for ≥2 melanomas and $2,126 (maximum $54,618) for ≥6 keratinocyte cancers. Increased costs were associated with private health insurance. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals who are multiply affected by skin cancers are relatively common and the accompanying individual and government cost burden can be substantial. These findings support skin cancer being classified as a chronic disease. Implications for public health: Over time, the economic burden for skin cancer for individuals and health providers is high and investment in prevention remains important from an economic viewpoint.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the cost burden to government and patients for individuals with multiple skin cancers. METHODS: We used self-reported baseline data on socio-demographics, phenotype and sun exposure behaviours from participants in the QSkin Sun and Health Study with at least one histopathologically confirmed keratinocyte cancer or melanoma (n=5,673). Linkage to Australian Medicare data (2011-2014) provided resource data and government and out-of-pocket patient costs. Generalised linear models examined costs by frequency of skin cancer groups separately for melanoma and keratinocyte cancer. RESULTS: Over three years, 539 participants were diagnosed with melanoma (11% had ≥2 melanomas) and 5,134 participants were treated for keratinocyte cancers (10% had ≥6). Median Medicare costs per person were $1,325 (maximum $6,117) for ≥2 melanomas and $2,126 (maximum $54,618) for ≥6 keratinocyte cancers. Increased costs were associated with private health insurance. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals who are multiply affected by skin cancers are relatively common and the accompanying individual and government cost burden can be substantial. These findings support skin cancer being classified as a chronic disease. Implications for public health: Over time, the economic burden for skin cancer for individuals and health providers is high and investment in prevention remains important from an economic viewpoint.
Authors: A E Cust; C Badcock; J Smith; N E Thomas; L E Haydu; B K Armstrong; M H Law; J F Thompson; P A Kanetsky; C B Begg; Y Shi; A Kricker; I Orlow; A Sharma; S Yoo; S F Leong; M Berwick; D W Ollila; S Lo Journal: Br J Dermatol Date: 2019-11-27 Impact factor: 9.302
Authors: Louisa Gordon; Catherine Olsen; David C Whiteman; Thomas M Elliott; Monika Janda; Adele Green Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2020-02-26 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Annie Bygrave; Kate Whittaker; Christine Paul; Elizabeth A Fradgley; Megan Varlow; Sanchia Aranda Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-03-02 Impact factor: 3.390