Is screening for breast cancer cost-effective?
As the toll taken by breast cancer continues unabated, screening programs are widely perceived to play a critical role to improve diagnosis and successful treatment. Breast cancer screening programs are increasingly promoted to women; however, the economic implications of mass screening is a subject of much health policy debate. Cost-effectiveness analysis is an economic methodology widely used to inform such decisions, yet there is a dearth of information available on the economic consequences of mass breast cancer screening. The authors evaluated nine breast cancer screening cost-effectiveness studies that are based on computer simulations, observational trial data, or a combination of both. The results of these studies, conducted in the United States and other countries, indicate that the cost-effectiveness of screening for breast cancer generally compares favorably with other expenditures in the health-care field, although screening younger women does not appear to be as favorable. However, there is considerable variability in the methodology used and a need for more comprehensive research in this area.
Mushlin
A I
AI
Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine, New York.
Fintor
L
L
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000191:economics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014481:United States