Health economics analysis of mammography screening program in the Republic of Kazakhstan

Abstract

Breast cancer (hereinafter - BC) is the most frequent type of cancer among women in the Republic of Kazakhstan, accounting for almost 12% of all cases of cancers in the country [1]. Kazakhstan has the highest rates of breast cancer in the Central Asian region. Local physicians associate it with lack of breastfeeding, use of hormonal drugs, and poor ecological conditions [2]. There were 3,400 new cases of BC in Kazakhstan in 2016 [3], while number of deaths in the same year reached 1,022 [4]. The age-adjusted death rate from BC is 21.50 per 100,000, which ranks Kazakhstan 35th in the world [32]. The prevalence of BC reached 22.7 per 100,000 in 2013, and it has been increasing constantly, affecting younger population aged 25-40. It also takes the first place in mortality rates among all cancers in the 45-50-year age group. Between 1990 and 2010 the annual years of healthy life lost from breast cancer in Kazakhstan has increased by 44.0% [5]. In 1990, BC led to 38,000 years of life lost (hereinafter - YLL) in Kazakhstan. In 2010, the prevalence rate of BC has raised by 17% leading to 44,000 YLL [6].