Cancer Cost $786m

The direct cost of cancer in Iran is over 30 trillion rials (about $786 million) per year, according to Dr. Ali Motlaq, head of the oncology department at the Health Ministry.

“Cancer expenses are categorized into two groups: Direct and indirect costs,” he told state TV.

Indirect cost of cancer comprises monetary losses associated with time spent on receiving treatment, time lost from work or other usual activities and lost productivity.

“Cancer is the third cause of death in Iran and annually some 100,000 new cases of the disease are diagnosed,” Motlaq said, adding that treatment cost per case is estimated at 150 million to 200 million rials (about $3,900-$5,200).

Patients pay less than 10% of the total cost if they receive treatment in state-run hospitals, while out-patient treatment expenses are almost free.

According to Seyyed Hamid Hosseini, a member of a charity organization for cancer prevention, 40% of cancer cases can be prevented.

“Government and NGOs must work together, plan and promote measures such as healthy living to reduce the incidence of cancer,” he was quoted by Mehr News Agency as saying.

He emphasized that the responsibility of cancer prevention does not only fall on the Health Ministry and all relevant public and private bodies as well as the mass media should join forces.