Do Medical Treatments Work for Work? Evidence from Breast Cancer Patients

A-Tier
Journal: American Economic Journal: Economic Policy
Year: 2025
Volume: 17
Issue: 4
Pages: 379-409

Authors (4)

N. Meltem Daysal (not in RePEc) William N. Evans (not in RePEc) Mikkel Hasse Pedersen (not in RePEc) Mircea Trandafir (Rockwool Fondens Forskningsenh...)

Score contribution per author:

1.005 = (α=2.01 / 4 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We investigate the effects of radiation therapy on the mortality and economic outcomes of breast cancer patients. We implement a 2SLS strategy within a difference-in-difference framework exploiting variation in treatment stemming from a medical guideline change in Denmark. We reproduce the results from an RCT showing the life-saving benefits of radiotherapy. We show radiation therapy also has economic returns: Ten years after diagnosis, treatment increases employment by 37 percent and earnings by 45 percent. Previous work has documented a substantial employment drop after a breast cancer diagnosis. Our results imply that radiation therapy can reduce this effect by 70 percent.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aejpol:v:17:y:2025:i:4:p:379-409
Journal Field
General
Author Count
4
Added to Database
2026-01-29