Social and economic burden of breast cancer in the North East region of Bulgaria.

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies among women and significantly worsens physical, mental and social functioning. The aim is to evaluate the social and economic burden of treatment strategies for breast cancer in the North East region of Bulgaria. A retrospective, observational, population-based study among patients with breast cancer was performed. Patient characteristics, treatment patterns, and costs were assessed during a four-year period (2016-2019). Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were calculated to estimate the social burden. Approximately 99% of patients ( = 1,373) were female and the mean age at diagnosis was 60.6 years. The total economic burden of breast cancer during the time of the study was estimated to be 21,076,809.12 BGN where the direct costs were equal to 19,634,509.67 BGN and the total indirect costs due to premature death amounted to 1,442,299.45 BGN. Total DALYs were 110.56 for all patients corresponding to 1,898,340.80 BGN. This study demonstrates the significant social and economic burden of breast cancer as further, more comprehensive regional and national-based studies related to the total economic burden of breast cancer are required.