Estimated Healthcare Costs of Melanoma in Australia Over 3 Years Post-Diagnosis

Elliott, Thomas M.; Whiteman, David C.; Olsen, Catherine M.; Gordon, Louisa G.

doi:10.1007/s40258-017-0341-y

Cited by 79 publications

(94 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…A full cost‐analysis would need to consider the number of benign lesions excised but this is outside the scope of the current study. National health system cost estimates in Australia suggest annual costs of AU$201 million annually for treatment of new cases of melanoma, which increased to AU$272 million when including treatments for presumed melanoma, later found to be benign . Elliot and colleagues reported cost‐saving estimates of up to AU$49 million per annum in diagnosis and excision costs with improved diagnostic accuracy …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Think before you shave: Factors influencing choice of biopsy technique for invasive melanoma and effect on definitive management

et al. 2019

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Background/Objective: Partial biopsies are sometimes used for melanoma diagnosis with anticipated time and cost savings compared to excisional biopsy. However, their impact on subsequent melanoma management is unknown. Determine factors related to choice of partial over excisional biopsy to diagnose invasive melanoma and examine the effect of partial biopsies on definitive melanoma management. Method:Retrospective repeated cross-sectional population-based study through the Victorian Cancer Registry of diagnosed melanomas in 2005, 2010 and 2015. A random sample of 400 patients per year, stratified by tumour thickness, was selected.Results: A total of 1200 patients had 833 excisional and 337 partial biopsies. Omission of suspected diagnosis on pathology requests affected 46% (532/1151) of all diagnostic biopsies. Diagnostic suspicion did not influence preference for partial over excisional biopsy [Odds Ratio (OR) 1.2, 95%CI 0.8-1.7; P = 0.40]. The partial:excisional biopsy usage ratio was higher in patients aged > 50 years than patients aged <50 years [relative risk ratios (RRR) 1.5; 95%CI 1.0 to 2.2; P = 0.03]. In 34% and 17% of tumours diagnosed with punch and shave, respectively, three procedures were required for definitive excision instead of two, compared with 5% of excisional biopsies When partial biopsy was used, patients were at greater risk of requiring three-staged excisions when controlled for age, anatomical site, melanoma subtype and thickness (RRR 6.7; 95%CI 4.4-10.1; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Diagnostic suspicion does not appearto be a major factor influencing choice of biopsy technique. Using partial biopsy to diagnose melanoma often leads to an extra procedure for definitive treatment compared with excisional biopsy.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Think before you shave: Factors influencing choice of biopsy technique for invasive melanoma and effect on definitive management

et al. 2019

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“…The total treatment cost for NMSC in Australia during 2015 is estimated to be US$537 million (A$703 million) (Cancer Council ACT, 2017). The annual cost of treating each melanoma patient in Australia is estimated to be between US$1285 (A$1681) and US$143,500 (A$187,720), while the annual estimated cost for treatment of all new cases of in situ and invasive melanomas is US$154 million (A$201 million) (Elliot, Whiteman, Olsen, & Gordon, 2017). Similar costs are incurred globally (Lindsey et al, 2015).…”

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confidence: 99%

Sun protective behaviors at an outdoor entertainment event in Australia

Barrett

Usher

Woods

et al. 2017

Nursing & Health Sciences

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An observational study was conducted to examine the use of sun protective hats, clothing, and sunglasses of people attending an outdoor entertainment event in an area of high-to-extreme ultraviolet radiation in New South Wales, Australia. Armidale is unique, as it is a highly-elevated area, almost 1000 m above sea level, and temperatures are often mild with very high-to-extreme levels of ultraviolet radiation. Four trained data collectors observed attendees as they entered the event, and recorded their use of sun protective hats, clothing, and sunglasses. While more than half of the attendees wore sun protective hats, only 14% wore sun protective clothing. Broad-brimmed hats were considered sun protective, while sun protective clothing was defined by shirts with at least three-quarter-length sleeves. Females were more likely to wear both a sun protective hat and clothing than males, and children were less protected than adults. Legislative changes are required to ensure that organizers of outdoor events have a legal responsibility to provide a safe environment for attendees, including strategies to help reduce ultraviolet radiation exposure.

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“…Differential increases in cancer stage were not included in the analysis. The tumor size, node and metastasis (TNM) classification stage of diagnosis was shown to influence treatment cost drastically, and changes in TMN stage distribution may influence our results [33]; however, while thin melanomas (< 1 mm) were shown to have increased more than thicker melanomas (> 1 mm) during 1985-2012, an increase in melanoma was shown for all thicknesses [34]. Likewise, the incidence rate for melanoma in Denmark is no longer increasing and seems to have reached a plateau, indicating that an increasingly steeper increase in thin melanomas compared with thicker melanomas is not likely [35].…”

Section: Strength and Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 89%

Benefit–Cost Analysis of the Danish Sun Safety Campaign 2007–2015: Cost Savings from Sunburn and Sunbed Use Reduction and Derived Skin Cancer Reductions 2007–2040 in the Danish Population

Køster

Meyer

Søgaard

et al. 2019

PharmacoEconomics Open

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Background Ninety percent of skin cancers are avoidable. In Denmark, 16,500 cases of melanoma and keratinocyte cancers were registered in 2015. The Danish Sun Safety Campaign has campaigned since 2007, targeting overexposure to ultraviolet radiation. During 2007-2015, the key indicators of skin cancer, i.e. sunbed use and sunburn, showed annual reductions of 6% and 1%, respectively. Objectives We aimed to examine the financial savings to society as a result of the campaign reductions in skin cancer cases (2007-2040), and to examine the campaign's cost-benefit and return on investment (ROI). Methods The analysis is based on existing data: (1) annual population-based surveys regarding the Danish population's behavior in the sun; (2) skin cancer projections; (3) relative risks of skin cancers from sunburn and sunbed use and (4) historical cancer incidences, combined with new data; (5) benefits from the avoided costs of skin cancer reductions; and (6) the costs of the Danish Sun Safety Campaign. Results The results were based on a reduction of 9000 skin cancer cases, saving €29 million of which €13 million were derived from sunburn reductions and €16 million from reductions in sunbed use. The ROI was €2.18. Conclusion Skin cancer prevention in Denmark is cost effective. Every Euro spent by the Danish Sun Safety Campaign saved the Danish health budget €2.18 in health expenses.

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Estimated Healthcare Costs of Melanoma in Australia Over 3 Years Post-Diagnosis

Abstract: With rapidly rising treatment costs, there is a need to consider a comprehensive melanoma control strategy that includes primary prevention of skin cancers and cost-effective sun protection initiatives.

Cited by 79 publications

References 33 publications

Think before you shave: Factors influencing choice of biopsy technique for invasive melanoma and effect on definitive management

Think before you shave: Factors influencing choice of biopsy technique for invasive melanoma and effect on definitive management

Sun protective behaviors at an outdoor entertainment event in Australia

Benefit–Cost Analysis of the Danish Sun Safety Campaign 2007–2015: Cost Savings from Sunburn and Sunbed Use Reduction and Derived Skin Cancer Reductions 2007–2040 in the Danish Population

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