Abstract PS9-57: Estimation of willingness-to-pay for breast cancer treatments through contingent valuation method in Japanese breast cancer patients (JCOG1709A); preliminary study findings
Authors: Tsuguo Iwatani, Fumikata Hara, Tadahiko Shien, Masato Takahashi, Norikazu Masuda, Hiroyuki Yasojima, Yasuaki Sagara, Tomonori Mizutani, Keita Sasaki, Kenichi Nakamura, Haruhiko Fukuda, Takaru Shiroiwa, Hiroji Iwata
Journal: Cancer Research (2021)

Abstract BackgroundIn 2019, the Japanese government has decided to introduce the economic valuation to healthcare system. However, the threshold for determining cost-effectiveness-analysis has yet to be adequately studied. Therefore, we have designed a study to examine the financial value of “life” and “health” based on willingness-to-pay (WTP) considered by approximately 1,800 patients with primary and metastatic breast cancer (PBC and MBC) in Japan. Preliminary study has been conducted to set the amount of WTP prior to the main study. Methods This study is conducted by six leading hospitals under the Breast Cancer Study Group of Japan Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG). 168 patients (84 patients with PBC and 84 patients with MBC) from 20 to 79 years of age paying medical costs were examined their WTP for setting up the dichotomous-choice method survey form. Virtual scenario-specific treatments to avoid the recurrence and death of breast cancer for one year for PBC patients, and to prolong the survival period for one year for the patients with MBC were presented. The patients were evaluated how much money would pay to receive the treatment in a self-written answer. The amount of WTP that will be presented in the main study was determined by calculating the median price from these responses based on the protocol. In addition, we conducted surveys of quality-of-life by EQ-5D-5L, social background on patients, and of breast cancer medical condition on doctors. Results Completed surveys were collected from 166 doctors (98.8%) and 139 patients (82.7%). The range of the amount of WTP for scenario-specific treatments among the patients with the patients with PBC was from 0 to 5 million Japanese yen (JPY) (50,000 USD), and among the patients with MBC was from 0 to 10 million JPY (100,000 USD). In accordance with the criteria set forth in advance in the protocol, the amount of WTP that will be presented in the main study was set at 5 million JPY in both PBC and MBC patients. Conclusion We have fixed the cost that will be presented in the main study based on the findings of our preliminary study. The main study will commence around September 2020. Citation Format: Tsuguo Iwatani, Fumikata Hara, Tadahiko Shien, Masato Takahashi, Norikazu Masuda, Hiroyuki Yasojima, Yasuaki Sagara, Tomonori Mizutani, Keita Sasaki, Kenichi Nakamura, Haruhiko Fukuda, Takaru Shiroiwa, Hiroji Iwata. Estimation of willingness-to-pay for breast cancer treatments through contingent valuation method in Japanese breast cancer patients (JCOG1709A); preliminary study findings [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Virtual Symposium; 2020 Dec 8-11; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS9-57.