Treating cancer patients who smoke may cost extra US$3.4 billion each year

The added cost largely stems from additional treatments needed after continuing smokers fail to respond to first-line cancer therapies, and totals roughly US$11,000 per person, the study team calculates.While smoking cessation after a cancer diagnosis has been found to improve survival odds, studies to date have not provided a clear picture of how treatment outcomes and costs are affected when smokers don't quit, researchers note in JAMA Network Open.

About one in five cancer patients are current smokers, the researchers estimate based on data from a 2014 U.S. Surgeon General report. Building on this report, they created a model to calculate the added cost of treating smokers.They assumed 30 percent of nonsmokers fail to respond to initial treatment and that 20 percent of cancer patients are current smokers.

Across 1.6 million patients diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. each year, this would add up to potential added annual costs of US$3.4 billion, the study team concludes.

Health Health Latest News, Health Health Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

US charges 24 in telemedicine healthcare fraud causing US$1.2 billion lossesREUTERS: U.S. authorities on Tuesday said 24 defendants have been charged in connection with one of the largest health care fraud schemes ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

New nursing home patients may wait to see a doctor(Reuters Health) - - When Medicare patients are discharged from a hospital to a skilled nursing facility, the time it takes for a doctor or ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Yoga may help ease mood disorders in Parkinson's patients(Reuters Health) - People with Parkinson's disease may have less anxiety and depression when they practice yoga focused on mindfulness and ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Singapore, US researchers studying drug to treat haemorrhagic strokeNon-surgical treatment for people who have suffered a more severe form of haemorrhagic stroke could be on the cards if trials here and in the United States prove successful.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Source: The Straits Times - 🏆 8. / 63 Read more »