Comparing cancer mortality and GDP health expenditure in England and Wales with other major developed countries from 1979 to 2006

BACKGROUND: Cancer and gross-domestic-product on health expenditure (GDPHE) are critical issues for major developed countries (MDC). Each country's economic input, GDPHE 1980–2005 is contrasted with clinical outputs, cancer mortality rates (CMRs), to compare their efficiency and effectiveness in reducing CMR. METHODS: World Health Organization's CMR data for baseline years (1979–1981) are compared with 2004–2006 by sex and age. The χ(2)-tests are used to determine differences between MDC. Efficiency is analysed by calculating a ratio of average GDPHE to reduced CMR over the period. RESULTS: Inputs: All the countries GDPHE grew substantially. For the United Kingdom this reached 9.3%, which is below the MDC average (10%). Outputs: CMR fell substantially (>20%) in six of the ten countries. The male average (15–74 years) CMR in England and Wales had been third highest but by 2004–2006 was sixth, a 31% reduction, which was significantly greater than seven other countries. Initially England and Wales female average CMR was the highest of all countries and is now the second highest. There were significantly greater reductions for the 55–64 and 65–74 years old than in seven and four countries, respectively. GDPHE reduced CMR ratios – the average GDPHE:reduced CMR ratio of England and Wales was 1 : 120, greater than all MDC and double that in four countries. CONCLUSION: Comparing GDPHE input with CMR output showed that relatively the NHS achieved more with proportionately less than other MDC.