Analysis of the direct cost of medical and surgical care for breast cancer. Comparative study between early and advanced stages in the third level medical facility

Background: Management of breast cancer is increased by late diagnoses. Objective: To analyse direct costs of breast cancer in early and advanced stage in a third level medical facility at Mexican Social Security Institute. Method: Observational study, direct costs of care in breast cancer in initial and advanced clinical stages are compared. Variables analysed were laboratory and diagnostic imaging studies, drugs, as well as hospitalization costs. The evaluated period included from the first care to the completion of the treatment. Costs were determined according to the table of Unit Costs by Level of Medical Care for the year 2019 of the Mexican Social Security Institute. Student's t test was used to determinate differences between groups, as well as descriptive statistics. Results: The advanced stage compared to the initial stage, causes a greater num-ber of laboratory-cabinet studies, surgeries, day/bed and interconsultations. The average cost of breast cancer care per patient is $99,280.36 (US$5,230.78) and $148,023.60 (US$7,789.92) for the initial and advanced stages, respectively (p = 0.024). Conclusions: Cost of medical attention in the initial stage is lower than that of the advanced stage.