A nationwide, evidence-based tobacco treatment program for cancer patients and survivors in the U.S. would save $12.32 billion in healthcare costs over 10 years, according to a study published July 14 in JCO Oncology Practice.
Led by researchers from Houston-based University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, the study projected 10-year survival trends and healthcare cost savings associated with a nationwide smoking cessation program targeted to 18 million U.S. cancer survivors.
Here are three things to know from the study:
- The study’s model assumed a smoking prevalence of 11.4% among 18 million cancer survivors and 15% among 2 million annual cancer cases.
The model assumed a program reach of 50%, with 45% of program participants achieving abstinence and 20% relapsing each year. Researchers applied a 0.79 mortality hazard ratio between participants who abstained and relapsed. - In addition to the $12.32 billion in healthcare cost savings, the program was projected to prevent 66,462 deaths and yield 287,446 life-years gained over 10 years.
A probabilistic sensitivity analysis with 10,000 simulations produced similar outcomes, with 66,542 lives saved and $12.38 billion in healthcare cost savings. - Adjusting the model to assume a program reach of 80% with 60% of participants achieving abstinence increased outcomes to: 141,785 deaths prevented, 613,219 life-years gained and $26.28 billion saved.
Read the full study here.
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