Far from a done deal: Human and economic cost of breast cancer

Action needed to give 'everyone equal chance of best treatment'

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The cost of breast cancer to the UK economy could rise by almost a third to £4.2 billion in the next 25 years, according to new analysis.

The UK faces “dire consequences” unless action is taken to give “everyone an equal chance of the best diagnosis, treatment and care”, the charity Breast Cancer Now warned.

The study by the charity and the think tank Demos estimates breast cancer is already costing the UK economy between £3.2 billion and £3.5 billion in 2025.

The figures include the costs to the NHS of diagnosing and treating the disease, as well as the cost to the economy in lost productivity when patients or their informal carers can not return to work.

The report suggests the total could rise by 31 per cent to £4.2 billion by 2050 if no action is taken.

Claire Rowney, chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, said the report “sets out loud and clear the huge challenges in tackling breast cancer and the dire consequences we'll face unless urgent action is taken now to save more lives from the disease and give everyone an equal chance of the best diagnosis, treatment and care”.

She added: “Breast cancer is so far from a done deal.