Introduction. Breast cancer is one of the most important oncological problems in Poland, and epidemiological trends suggest it is increasing in incidence. International comparisons indicate a positive correlation between health expenditures and 5 years survival rates in cancers. This article for the first time in Poland, correlates 5-year survival rates in with expenditures for breast cancer therapy in particular regions of Poland.

Materials and methods. This study is based on the National Health Fund (NHF) data, available in the Register of Di­seases’ Treatment system. The analysis included approximately 59,000 cases of patients who started their treatment between 2004 and 2007. We analysed 5-year survival rates among these patients versus average expenditures of the NHF for their treatment in particular regions.

Results. Five-year observed survival rates increased between 2004 and 2007 from 73.6% to 74.9%, with relatively large differences between regions (66% to 79% for 2007). The NHF expenditures in particular regions differed significantly. Among patients diagnosed in 2007 the average costs of treatment ranged from 23.600 PLN to 42.800 PLN per person (for the entire treatment cycle). No correlation between survival and expenditures was found, either positive nor negative.

Conclusions. Survival rates of breast cancer patients in the regions studied are not correlated with the average expenditures for their treatment. The differences in survival rates between regions of Poland may be due to other factors, such as tumour stage at presentation, or the treatment pattern in the regions. Not all expenditures impact on treatment efficacy. A more thorough analysis of this WHF data may aid in determining why there are decreasing regional discrepancies in care and inequalities in survival rates of breast cancer patients.