Estimating Out-of-Pocket Payments Among Iranian Women with Breast Cancer

Background: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among Iranian women with more than 10 000 cases per year. Objectives: This study aimed at determining out-of-pocket (OOP) payments among women with breast cancer at health care centers affiliated to Iran University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional and applied study was done among 336 women with breast cancer referring to hospitals affiliated to Iran University of Medical Sciences. The data on inpatient expenses were obtained from the cost bills and the outpatient was collected, using a researcher-made questionnaire. Finally, the data were analyzed, using SPSS V2 software. Results: The average monthly OOP payment for direct hospitalization costs in inpatient breast cancer patients was estimated 146 ± 47.98 dollars and the average OOP payment for direct costs of treatment in outpatients was 69 ± 102.99 dollars, and the average OOP payment for non-medical direct cost per month 34.88 ± 31.12 dollars. The results of this study showed the average OOP payment included drug costs with the rate of 37.99 ± 45.31 dollars imposed the highest medical direct costs. Among the non-medical direct costs of OOP payment for transportation, the average of 30.65 ± 103.23 dollars imposed the highest OOP payment on breast cancer patients. Conclusions: These findings show that individuals with breast cancer endure high OOP payments that could adversely affect their quality of life; hence, decision-makers should pay more attention to implementing proper policies.