Background : The burden of cancer is increasing rapidly in low- and middle-income countries, exerting substantial pressure on health systems that operate under constrained financial resources and growing population needs. In such settings, health economic evaluations constitute essential tools for informing decision-making across the cancer care continuum, including prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment.
Objectives : This study aims to highlight the contribution of health economic evaluations to optimizing resource allocation and improving the performance and sustainability of health systems confronting the rising cancer burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Methods : This study is based on a descriptive analytical overview of the main types of health economic evaluations applied in oncology, including cost-of-illness, cost-effectiveness, cost-utility, and cost–benefit analyses. It examines their relevance for assessing cancer prevention and care interventions within resource-limited contexts.
Results: Health economic evaluations enable the assessment of the financial impact of cancer on health systems and households, while identifying the most efficient interventions to prioritize high-impact strategies. These analyses support evidence-informed decisions regarding the introduction of therapeutic innovations, the evaluation of screening programs, and the promotion of equitable access to cancer care. In LMICs, such evaluations provide critical evidence to guide health planning, inform pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement negotiations, and ensure the long-term sustainability of cancer control policies.
Conclusions/Implications : Health economic evaluations represent a key strategic lever for strengthening cancer control efforts in low- and middle-income countries. Their systematic integration into health policy and decision-making processes enhances health system efficiency, optimizes the use of limited resources, and supports the development of evidence-based public policies in response to the growing cancer burden.
Keywords : Cancer ; Health Economic Evaluations ; Health Systems; Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs)