Special Current Oncology supplement augments evidence base for cancer economics

The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer is proud to collaborate with Current Oncology to present a special supplement on Canada-specific cancer costing and economic evaluation research.

Our unique health-care system requires specifically Canadian studies to effectively evaluate cost differences and variability in individual interventions, care pathways and cancer care systems. Economic research is highly useful for identifying good value and high quality care, but there is an acute shortage of Canada-specific evidence available. As a result, decision makers cannot accurately assess the impact of new processes, practices and technologies to make decisions of most benefit to Canadians.

The Current Oncology supplement helps fill this gap by showcasing the work of researchers focused on answering questions pertinent to Canadian cancer control.

This collection of eight papers and two editorials dig deeply into identifying potential sources of cost avoidance or cost savings to the cancer care system, and by consequence, to the larger health-care system. The manuscripts cover various disease sites and relevant issues in cancer care using a wide array of methods and Canadian data sources. The studies include:

• analysis of the cost implications of unwarranted imaging among breast cancer patients
• economic evaluation of a novel post-surgical pathology technology
• estimation of utilization and costs related to cervical cancer
• evaluation of cytology versus primary HPV DNA cervical cancer screening using the Partnership’s Cancer Risk Management Model
• estimation of drug and pathology cost avoidance in clinical trials;Cost trajectories of cancer patients over time
• trends in costs for systemic therapy, home nursing and hospitalizations for end-of-life care in various provinces

The Canadian system is fortunate to benefit from innovative cancer care technologies and practices, and the authors in this supplement help decision-makers balance competing costs and benefits among new investments in health-care.

Ensuring that patients receive high-value care consistent with their needs and preferences requires the coordinated efforts of patients, clinicians, researchers and health-care organizations. The Partnership continues to leverage its role in cancer control to drive pan-Canadian, collaborative action targeted at the sustainability, quality and value of Canada’s cancer system. The Partnership is proud to have worked with the editors of Current Oncology to deliver this special supplement and contribute to augmenting the evidence base for cancer economics.

The supplement was published on February 29 and features an editorial by Heather Bryant, VP, Cancer Control.