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Voluntary screening program for prostate cancer: detection rate and cost
N Abramson1, S Cotton, R Eckels
1Division of Hematology-Oncology, Baptist Regional Cancer Institute, Baptist Medical Center, Jacksonville, FL 32207.
Southern Medical Journal
|August 1, 1994
Summary
Community prostate cancer screening in Jacksonville found results similar to other programs. The cost to screen each participant was $231, with cancer detection costing $7,240.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Public Health
- Health Economics
Background:
- Prostate cancer screening is a key public health initiative.
- Community-based programs offer accessible screening opportunities.
- Evaluating the cost-effectiveness of screening is crucial for resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the outcomes and costs of a community-wide prostate cancer screening program.
- To compare screening results with established benchmarks.
- To determine the financial investment required for cancer detection and treatment initiation.
Main Methods:
- A community-wide screening program was implemented in Jacksonville, Florida.
- 564 participants underwent free screening for prostate cancer.
- Data on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) measurements and digital rectal examinations (DRE) were collected.
Main Results:
- The frequency of positive screening results (PSA and DRE) was comparable to similar programs.
- The estimated cost per participant screened was $231.
- The cost to detect each prostate cancer case was $7,240, rising to $16,300 when initial therapy was included.
Conclusions:
- Community prostate cancer screening programs can yield results comparable to other initiatives.
- The cost-effectiveness of prostate cancer screening requires careful consideration of both detection and treatment expenses.
- Further evaluation of treatment outcomes alongside costs is necessary to determine the overall value of screening.