title: A cost analysis of a pancreatic cancer screening protocol in high-risk populations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pancreatic cancer is the 4th leading cause of cancer death in the United States. A screening protocol is needed to catch early-stage, resectable disease. This study suggests a protocol for high-risk individuals and assesses the cost in the context of the Affordable Care Act.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medicare and national average pricing were used for cost analysis of a protocol using magnetic resonance imaging/MRCP biannually in high-risk groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Costs per year of life added" based on Medicare and national average costs, respectively, are as follows: $638.62 and $2,542.37 for Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, $945.33 and $3,763.44 for hereditary pancreatitis, $1,141.77 and $4,545.45 for familial pancreatic cancer and "p16-Leiden" mutations, and $356.42 and $1,418.92 for new-onset diabetes over age 50 with weight loss or smoking.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A screening program using magnetic resonance imaging/MRCP is affordable in high-risk populations. The United States Preventive Services Task Force must re-evaluate its pancreatic cancer screening guidelines to make screening more cost-effective for the individual.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bruenderman
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA. Electronic address: Robert.Martin@louisville.edu.
authors.forename: Robert C G
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D049448:Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance / Q000191:economics*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System / Q000191:economics; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000191:economics*; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000191:economics*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000191:economics*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000191:economics; D014481:United States
keywords: Cost analysis; Genetic predisposition; High risk; Idiopathic; Pancreatic cancer; Screening