Do Medical Treatments Work for Work? Evidence from Breast Cancer Patients
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. Using administrative data, we reproduce results from an RCT showing the lifesaving benefits of radiotherapy. We then show therapy also has economic returns: ten years after diagnosis, treatment increases employment by 37% and earnings by 45%. Mortality and economic results are driven by results for more educated women, indicating that equalizing access to treatment may not be sufficient to reduce health inequalities.
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Copy CitationN. Meltem Daysal, William N. Evans, Mikkel Hasse Pedersen, and Mircea Trandafir, "Do Medical Treatments Work for Work? Evidence from Breast Cancer Patients," NBER Working Paper 32167 (2024), https://doi.org/10.3386/w32167.Download Citation
Published Versions
N. Meltem Daysal & William N. Evans & Mikkel Hasse Pedersen & Mircea Trandafir, 2025. "Do Medical Treatments Work for Work? Evidence from Breast Cancer Patients," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, vol 17(4), pages 379-409.
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