Evaluation of the willingness-to-pay for cancer treatment in Korean metastatic breast cancer patients: a multicenter, cross-sectional study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the inherent value of breast cancer therapy a willingness-to-pay (WTP) study was conducted in Korean patients with metastatic breast cancer.


METHODS
Patients were prospectively enrolled from four study centers and completed quality of life questionnaires to reflect their status pre-cancer and their current health status. Clinical and socioeconomic data were collected to characterize the population and utilize during modeling. Patients' WTP for breast cancer treatment was assessed using an open-ended question following three rounds of bidding to better hone in on their maximal WTP, starting with one of three randomly assigned start bids. Predictors of patient WTP was evaluated using linear regression models. Associations between WTP and other parameters were evaluated with correlations.


RESULTS
Korean metastatic breast cancer patients were WTP an average of KRW 8 696 329 (US$7555) per month to return to their pre-cancer health state, with those who were recently diagnosed as WTP the most (KRW 12 955 000 [$11 254]). WTP was closely associated with the patient's education level, income, personal financial difficulties, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, and their experience of arm symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that patients are WTP significant amounts per month for treatment. Breast cancer patients are heavily burdened physically, mentally and financially, and the present study indicated this significant financial burden by disclosing its relationship with WTP. Providing a better understanding of the inherent value of treatment will allow Koreans to better evaluate treatment in the coming era of personalized medicine.
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Korea.
Do-Youn
DY
Oh
Bruce
B
Crawford
Sung-Bae
SB
Kim
Hyun-Cheol
HC
Chung
Jeffrey
J
McDonald
Sang Yoon
SY
Lee
Su-Kyoung
SK
Ko
Jungsil
J
Ro
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005382:Financing, Personal; D005102:Health Expenditures; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D056910:Republic of Korea; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires