National Cancer Institute


The Cost of Cancer

The direct cost of cancer is derived from the figures for care of patients. It does not include the cost of the productivity lost while individuals are away from their work due to treatment of disability or the value of lost productivity due to premature death. Figures for the direct cost of cancer and for all health care for 1990 are as follow:

(in Millions)
All Costs Direct Cost
All Cancers $ 35,256
All Health Care $585,300
Percent Relationship of Cancer to Total 6%

Sources:

Brown, M.L. The National Economic Burden of Cancer: An Update.

Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 1990, 82:1881-1814.

Office of the Actuary, Health Care Financing Administration.


Return to: 1997 Factbook, Cancer Statistics