Cost effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening in the elderly
Article Abstract:
Each year, 145,000 new cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed, of which almost 80 percent (110,000) are in elderly persons (over the age of 65). In spite of the high risk of illness and death from this disease, most elderly individuals do not undergo either of the two tests available for detection of colorectal cancer: fecal occult blood screening and sigmoidoscopy. One reason for this might be the lack of Medicare coverage for colorectal cancer screening; federal regulations would have to be changed in order to make this preventive measure a covered expense. Past instances where changes in regulations have been proposed have relied heavily on the cost effectiveness of the proposal as a criterion for acceptance or rejection. To evaluate the cost effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening in the elderly, a hypothetical model was used in which the costs and benefits of four possible screening schedules were evaluated. A program consisting exclusively of testing from fecal occult blood is projected to cost approximately two billion dollars (nationwide); such a program would identify 17 percent of the expected cases of colorectal cancer, and would cost $35,000 per year of life saved. A more thorough program incorporating sigmoidoscopy is projected to cost between 2.9 and 3.9 billion dollars (depending on the frequency of sigmoidoscopy); such a program would allow early detection of significantly more cases of cancer, and would cost between $43,000 and $47,000 per year of life saved. Although all of the screening programs evaluated are quite costly overall, they represent a reasonably cost-effective preventive intervention when compared with the costs of treating colorectal cancer detected in more advanced stages. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1991
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Prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer: pay now or pay later
Article Abstract:
According to a cost-benefit analysis published in 2000, a colonoscopy every 10 years beginning at age 50 reduces the cost of treating colorectal cancer by 75%. Colonoscopy was more cost-effective than fecal blood testing or flexible sigmoidoscopy. For this reason, Medicare and other third-part payers should cover colonoscopy screening.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 2000
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Screening strategies for colorectal cancer
Article Abstract:
Colonoscopy every 10 years beginning at age 50 appears to be the most cost-effective way to screen people for colorectal cancer. Colonoscopy involves inserting a long tube with a small camera at its end so doctors can examine the inside of the colon.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 2000
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