What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Observational. Population: Breast cancer. Intervention: Breast cancer. Primary outcome: Sickness absence and social insurance expenditures.

What does this research mean for the field?

Breast cancer-related sickness absence and associated social insurance expenditures in Poland increased significantly between 2020 and 2024, representing a substantial and growing economic burden. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to assess the temporal patterns of sickness absence and associated costs due to breast cancer among women in Poland from 2020 to 2024.

June 3, 2026Open Access

Temporal Patterns of Breast Cancer-Related Sickness Absence and Social Insurance Expenditures Among Women in Poland, 2020–2024: A Nationwide Registry-Based Study

Key Result

Breast cancer-related sickness absence in Poland generated a high economic burden, with sick leave certificates increasing from 55,732 in 2020 to 79,979 in 2024.

Key Points

This study aims to assess the temporal patterns of sickness absence and associated costs due to breast cancer among women in Poland from 2020 to 2024.
Nationwide analysis using the Social Insurance Institution registry data.
Examined sickness absence and rehabilitation benefit utilization among females diagnosed with breast cancer.
Focused on short-term sickness absence trends over a five-year period.
Sick leave days due to breast cancer increased from 1,241,223 in 2021 to 1,444,863 in 2024.
Sick leave certificates rose from 55,732 in 2020 to 79,979 in 2024, with the most significant growth in the 45-49 age group.
Social insurance expenditures for sickness absence rose from approximately 25.24 million EUR in 2020 to 48.3 million EUR in 2024.

Study Design

Type

Observational

Multicenter

Yes

Structured PICO

Population

Nationwide registry-based study of females in Poland unable to work due to breast cancer between 2020 and 2024.

Outcome

Temporal patterns and population-level burden of sickness absence, rehabilitation benefit utilization, and social insurance expenditures related to breast cancer

Breast cancer generates a high and increasing economic burden in Poland due to sickness absence and rehabilitation benefits.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Sickness absence due to breast cancer generates significant indirect costs. This nationwide registry-based study aimed to evaluate temporal patterns and the population-level burden of sickness absence, rehabilitation benefit utilization, and social insurance expenditures related to breast cancer among women in Poland between 2020 and 2024. Methods: This nationwide analysis is based on the Social Insurance Institution registry. Data on females unable to work due to breast cancer were analyzed (ICD-10: C50). Short-term sickness absence was analyzed. Results: The number of sick leave days due to breast cancer varied from 1,241,223 in 2021 to 1,444,863 in 2024. The number of sick leave certificates increased every year: from 55,732 in 2020 to 79,979 in 2024. The most dynamic growth between 2020 and 2024 occurred in the 45–49 group, where sick leave days increased +33.4% and certificates increased +70.6%. There were significant regional differences. The sickness absence days per certificate due to breast cancer decreased over time, from 23.5 days in 2020 to 18.1 days in 2024. The total number of medical certificates on rehabilitation benefit due to breast cancer varied from 4811 in 2021 to 5281 in 2024. Social insurance expenditures on sickness absence varied from 112,064.9 thousand PLN (approximately 25.24 million EUR) in 2020 to 207,687.9 thousand PLN (approximately 48.3 million EUR) in 2024 and expenditures on rehabilitation benefits varied from 56,812.8 thousand PLN (12.8 million EUR) in 2020 to 89,692.6 thousand PLN (20.83 million EUR) in 2024. Conclusions: This population-based registry study revealed a high economic burden of sickness absence due to breast cancer in Poland.