title: Burden of skin cancer in Belgium and cost-effectiveness of primary prevention by reducing ultraviolet exposure.
abstract: Skin cancer (melanoma- and non-melanoma skin cancer) is one of the most rapidly increasing cancers worldwide. This study analysed the current and future economic burden of skin cancer in Belgium and the cost-effectiveness of primary prevention of skin cancer. A retrospective bottom-up cost-of-illness study was performed, together with a Markov model in order to analyse the cost-effectiveness and the budget impact analysis of primary prevention of skin cancer in Belgium. Total prevalence of skin cancer in Belgium was estimated to triple in the next 20years. The total economic burden of skin cancer in 2014 in Belgium was estimated at €106 million, with a cumulative cost of €3 billion in 2034. The majority of this total cost was due to melanoma (65%). Over a period of 50years, both a sensitisation campaign and a total ban on sunbed use would lead to a gain in quality-adjusted life-years and cost-savings. For every euro invested in the campaign, €3.6 would be saved on the long-term for the healthcare payer. Policy makers and clinicians should promote UV protection strategies, as they were estimated to be dominant strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: Lore.Pil@ugent.be.
authors.forename: Lore
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pil
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hoorens
authors.affiliation: Private Practice, Maldegem, Belgium.
authors.forename: Katrien
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vossaert
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Vibeke
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kruse
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Institut Roi Albert II, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc,Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tromme
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Society (IRSS), Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Niko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Speybroeck
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Lieve
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brochez
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Lieven
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Annemans
mesh_terms: D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D017046:Cost Savings; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000191:economics / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013471:Sunburn / Q000517:prevention & control; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*
keywords: Cost-effectiveness; Cost-of-illness; Markov model; Primary prevention; Skin cancer