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Cost savings in mass population screening for colorectal cancer resulting from the early detection and excision of adenomas
Author(s) -
Whynes David K.,
Walker Andrew R.,
Hardcastle Jack D.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
health economics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.55
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1099-1050
pISSN - 1057-9230
DOI - 10.1002/hec.4730010108
Subject(s) - colorectal cancer , medicine , adenoma , population , colorectal adenoma , colorectal cancer screening , cancer , general surgery , oncology , surgery , colonoscopy , environmental health
The widely‐accepted hypothesis of a development sequence from colorectal adenoma to carcinoma is felt by clinicians to legitimate adenoma excision during routine colonoscopic investigation. Using published data on adenoma development, and adenoma prevalence data derived from the Nottingham colorectal cancer screening trial, the number of carcinomas prevented by early excision as a result of screening is predicted. The cost‐effectiveness of early excision is then evaluated with reference to the expected treatment costs saved. These cost savings are found to represent a discount on the overall costs of mass population screening for colorectal cancer.