Background: Worldwide, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death among females, accounting for 23% of the total cancer cases and 14% of the cancer deaths. 2008 estimates showed that age standardized rates in Europe (western, northern and southern areas) are between 69-90 per 100,000 women. Rates were lower in Central and Eastern Europe where the rate was 45 per 100,000 women. Breast cancer is a significant cause of premature mortality amenable to healthcare intervention.
Aims: To develop a protocol for international comparison of the treatment of patients with breast cancer, to perform the comparison, and to describe and explore reasons for differences in performance.
Data: Routine data on hospital discharge registers, mortality and cancer registers and other relevant available national registers.
Output: Reports and scientific articles describing the protocols, methods, indicators as well as cost variations between and within European countries.
► EuroHOPE Breast Cancer: Material, Methods and Indicators [pdf] 
► Smith J, Banks H, Campbell H, Douglas A, Fletcher E, McCallum A, Moger T, Peltola M, Sveréus S, Wild S, Williams L, Forbes J. 2015. Parameter heterogeneity in breast cancer cost regressions - Evidence from 5 European Countries. Health Economics 24 (Suppl. 2): 23-37.
[Dec. 4th 2015]
