Breast cancer incidence is rising in low-income countries, but there is limited information regarding health resource allocation for its care. We assessed the cost of care during the first three years after diagnosis in a low-income country (Mozambique; n = 162 women) and compared it with a high-income country (Portugal, n = 703 women). Local currency prices were converted to 2019 international dollars (Int$). In Mozambique, the median cost was lower than in Portugal (2888 vs 18,533 Int$, respectively) and did not vary across stage or tumor subtype. These findings may help improving resource allocation for breast cancer care in Sub-Saharan Africa, despite reflecting an underfunding of treatment in this setting.
Keywords: Breast neoplasms; Cancer staging; Costs and cost analysis; Developing countries; Global health; Sub-Saharan Africa.
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