Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
3
pubmed:dateCreated
1995-1-27
pubmed:abstractText
Optimal combinations of digital rectal examination (DRE), transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) may better detect patients at high risks, as well as those in whom continued screening may not be cost effective. Our recent cost analysis of prostate cancer early detection used current data from three consecutive years of the American Cancer Society's National Prostate Cancer Detection Project. Marginal cost analysis showed marked increased costs for the DRE by year three due to significantly reduced sensitivity for incident cancers. The benefit-cost equation acknowledges that many parameters of both cost and probability are not definitive at this time, yet illustrated major points for discussion. The cost parameters most sensitive to incremental change in decreasing order are: the specificity of the screening test > benefits obtained from early therapy > prevalence of the disease. Benefit-cost calculations demonstrated that DRE, when performed by highly skilled examiners, had the lowest cost. However, DRE became one of the most costly detection scenarios when a minor decrease in DRE performance was assumed for more general examiners. If slightly more specific PSA usage (or assay) is developed, the higher prevalence of clinically detectable prostate cancer could make screening less costly than breast cancer screening. If we assume minimized future expenditures for terminal cancer care via reductions in therapy choices or coverage, no economic benefit for screening exists. If we also assume that potential costs to society are not roughly approximated by any benefits, we may engender inappropriate attempts at cost reduction by effectively discouraging screening in the highest risk groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:issn
0258-851X
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
8
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
423-7
pubmed:dateRevised
2005-11-16
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:articleTitle
Costs and benefits of prostate cancer screening. Investigators of the American Cancer Society--National Prostate Cancer Detection Project.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Radiology, Harper Hospital, Detroit, MI 48201.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Review