Study of the Direct Medical Costs Incurred by Women Diagnosed with Cervical Cancer and Followed up at the Institute Curie of Aristide Le Dantec Hospital

<i>Introduction:</i> Cervical cancer constitutes a major public health challenge, both in terms of its morbidity and its financial burden on health systems and patients. This study aimed to assess the direct medical costs incurred by women diagnosed with cervical cancer and managed at the Institute Curie of Aristide Le Dantec Hospital in Dakar, as well as to identify the main cost drivers. <i>Methodology:</i> A retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study was conducted from January to April 2018, including 94 patients. Data were collected from medical records and entered into Microsoft Excel. Statistical analyses were performed using the <i>Analysis module of SPSS version 18</i> <i>(Statistical Package of Social Science).</i> <i>Results</i>: Among the 94 patients included in the study, 67.0% were diagnosed at a locally advanced stage, 20.2% at an advanced stage, and 10.6% at an early stage. The majority of patients originated from outside Dakar. Squamous cell carcinoma accounted for 83% of cases. Stage IIb was the most frequently observed stage, and the mean delay between the onset of initial symptoms and the first oncology consultation was 6 months. The average duration of symptoms before consultation was 8.7 months. A combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery was administered to 31 patients, chemotherapy alone to 32 patients, while 17 patients did not receive active treatment. The main cost drivers for both national and non-national patients were medical imaging and radiotherapy. The average direct medical cost of cervical cancer management was estimated at 371,804 FCFA per patient, with a standard deviation of 174,205 FCFA. Medical imaging represented the largest cost component, followed by the cost of radiotherapy. The annual mean costs of hospitalization and endoscopic examinations were significantly higher among patients diagnosed with adenocarcinoma or other histological types, with p-values of 0.035 and 0.04, respectively. Similarly, the annual mean costs of consultations, hospitalizations, and histopathological examinations were significantly higher among patients diagnosed at stages III and IV, with p-values of 0.046, 0.027, and 0.021, respectively. <i>Conclusion: </i>Primary and tertiary prevention strategies, based on the effective implementation of policies aimed at reducing risk factors and providing financial support to patients, represent the most effective approach to lowering the burden of cervical cancer morbidity.