title: Cost-effectiveness of colonoscopy.
abstract: This article presents a cost-effectiveness analysis of colorectal cancer screening tests that have been recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force, American Cancer Society US Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer American College of Radiology, or the American College of Gastroenterology. This cost-effectiveness analysis supports a common theme of the 3 guideline groups that there are multiple acceptable colorectal cancer screening strategies (including colonoscopy). The article shows which recommended strategies are also cost-effective given a range of willingness to pay per life-year gained. The set of cost-effective strategies includes tests that primarily detect cancer early (annual sensitive fecal occult blood tests [FOBTs]; either guaiac or fecal immunochemical tests, but not Hemoccult II), as well as those that can prevent colorectal cancer (flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years with a frequent sensitive FOBT [but not flexible sigmoidoscopy as a standalone test], and colonoscopy). Computed tomographic colonography was not a cost-effective strategy. Stool DNA testing was not assessed in the analysis for this article.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 307 East 63rd Street, Room 357, New York, NY 10065, USA. zaubera@mskcc.org
authors.forename: Ann G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Zauber
mesh_terms: D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000191:economics*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D057186:Comparative Effectiveness Research; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic