Intensity of care in cancer patients in the last year of life: a retrospective data linkage study

Background Delivering high-quality palliative and end-of-life care for cancer patients poses major challenges for health services. We examine the intensity of cancer care in England in the last year of life. Methods We included cancer decedents aged 65+ who died between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2017. We analysed healthcare utilisation and costs in the last 12 months of life including hospital-based activities and primary care. Results Healthcare utilisation and costs increased sharply in the last month of life. Hospital costs were the largest cost elements and decreased with age (0.78, 95% CI: 0.73-0.72, p < 0.005 for age group 90+ compared to age 65-69 and increased substantially with comorbidity burden (2.2, 95% CI: 2.09-2.26, p < 0.005 for those with 7+ comorbidities compared to those with 1-3 comorbidities). The costs were highest for haematological cancers (1.45, 95% CI: 1.38-1.52, p < 0.005) and those living in the London region (1.10, 95% CI: 1.02-1.19, p < 0.005). Conclusions Healthcare in the last year of life for advanced cancer patients is costly and offers unclear value to patients and the healthcare system. Further research is needed to understand distinct cancer populations' pathways and experiences before recommendations can be made about the most appropriate models of care.

Automated summary

Delivering high-quality palliative and end-of-life care for cancer patients is a major challenge. This study examines the intensity and costs of cancer care in the last year of life in England. The findings reveal that healthcare utilization and costs increase significantly in the last month of life, with hospital costs being the largest. Age, comorbidity burden, type of cancer, and geographical location were all found to affect the costs. The unclear value of healthcare in the last year of life for advanced cancer patients highlights the need for further research to determine the most appropriate models of care.