The indirect costs of five cancers in Egypt: years of life lost and productivity costs

In Egypt, there were 150,578 new cancer cases and 95,275 cancer deaths in 2022, indicating a substantial burden on patients and the healthcare system. In 2019, Egypt had a total of 45,114 deaths, from liver, lung, breast, cervical, and bladder cancers, resulting in a productivity loss of $430,086,636. Liver cancer led to the most male deaths (17,745) and breast cancer to the most female deaths (6,754), with years of productive life lost (PVFLP) of $232,663,468 and $130,745,592, respectively. The five cancers resulted in 551,336 years of life lost (YLL) and 235,415 years of productive life lost (YPLL) in Egypt. The total PVFLP was estimated at $217,224,178 for females and $212,862,458 for males, with a total PVFLP/death of $9,533. There is a substantial economic burden relating to premature cancer mortality in Egypt, highlighting that policies and treatment advances to decrease cancer are working, however, there is need for continuous prioritization of awareness programs, cancer screening and treatment advancements.