Can pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research contribute to the empowerment of women affected by breast cancer?

Abstract

Breakthroughs in genetic testing have informed patients and physicians in the treatment of breast cancer; however, they have also added to the complexity of decision-making. Genetic testing for breast cancer susceptibility not only changes treatment and screening options, but also challenges the way in which interventions are evaluated. While comparative effectiveness and cost–effective analysis methods are now standard for evaluation at the societal level, technologies such as genetic testing require us to consider the role of patient preference, especially as we move towards more personalized approaches to medicine. In this review, we discuss the changing role of pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research by highlighting how the discipline could use patient preference methods, such as conjoint analysis, to promote shared decision-making and to empower breast cancer patients. By adopting these methods we could move our focus from what is best for payers or society to one that applies scientific methods to identify what is best for patients.

Keywords::

• breast cancer
• conjoint analysis
• genetic testing
• health economics
• patient preferences
• personalized medicine
• shared decision-making

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This paper was supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Pfizer Inc. titled ‘The inclusion of patient preferences in medicine: interdisciplinary and international perspectives’ (John FP Bridges).

The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this review manuscript.