Cancer deaths cost US economy US$ 94 billion in lost earnings, says study

By PharmaCompass

2019-07-11

Impressions: 72 Article

A report by the American Cancer Society (ACS) researchers in JAMA Oncology said in 2015, cancer cost 8.7 million years of life among people aged 16 to 84 in the United States. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the US and is expected to cause over 606,880 deaths in 2019.

These researchers have also estimated that cancer leads to US$ 94 billion in future lost earnings. The cancer deaths not only cut earning years short, they also reduce the workforce, leading to a big economic burden, the study said.

“Lost earnings for individuals ages 16 to 84 who died from cancer in 2015” could have been partially prevented through better detection and earlier intervention, the study said.

The study used recent data and estimated losses at both national level and state level. Kentucky had the highest amount of lost earnings at US$ 35.3 million per 100,000 people, researchers said.

“Our findings indicate large state variation in the economic burden of cancer and suggest the potential for substantial financial benefit through delivery of effective cancer prevention, screening, and treatment to minimize premature cancer mortality in all states,” Farhad Islami, scientific director of surveillance research at the American Cancer Society and fellow researchers wrote in the study.

To reduce the impact on the economy while improving health outcomes, the authors of the study suggest “equitable access” to comprehensive cancer care. “All states could reduce the burden of cancer and associated geographic and other differences in the country,” they said.

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“ The article is based on the information available in public and which the author believes to be true. The author is not disseminating any information, which the author believes or knows, is confidential or in conflict with the privacy of any person. The views expressed or information supplied through this article is mere opinion and observation of the author. The author does not intend to defame, insult or, cause loss or damage to anyone, in any manner, through this article.”

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