C B Schechter1. 1. Department of Community Medicine, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study explored the cost-effectiveness of the use of PAPNET testing-supplemental, neural network-based testing used to increase the accuracy of cervical smear screening practice. STUDY DESIGN: Using a model adapted from one developed under contract from the United States Congress Office of Technology Assessment to evaluate cost-effectiveness of cervical cancer screening in elderly women, the study evaluated U.S. women aged 20-64. The study reviewed various screening intervals and examined the course of follow-up (i.e., repeat abnormal smear vs. immediate colposcopy) to offer a range into which most routine medical practice will fall. RESULTS: Assuming a false negative rate of 25% for low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) and 15% for high grade SIL and applying increased sensitivity of 30% from PAPNET, we can expect a cost of $48,474 per life-year saved among biennially screened women. For women screened triennially, as recommended by most groups, the cost per life-year saved is $25,185. CONCLUSION: The PAPNET rescreening program is an economical approach to decreasing mortality and morbidity from cervical cancer and compares favorably to other commonly used interventions and diagnostic procedures.
OBJECTIVE: This study explored the cost-effectiveness of the use of PAPNET testing-supplemental, neural network-based testing used to increase the accuracy of cervical smear screening practice. STUDY DESIGN: Using a model adapted from one developed under contract from the United States Congress Office of Technology Assessment to evaluate cost-effectiveness of cervical cancer screening in elderly women, the study evaluated U.S. women aged 20-64. The study reviewed various screening intervals and examined the course of follow-up (i.e., repeat abnormal smear vs. immediate colposcopy) to offer a range into which most routine medical practice will fall. RESULTS: Assuming a false negative rate of 25% for low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) and 15% for high grade SIL and applying increased sensitivity of 30% from PAPNET, we can expect a cost of $48,474 per life-year saved among biennially screened women. For women screened triennially, as recommended by most groups, the cost per life-year saved is $25,185. CONCLUSION: The PAPNET rescreening program is an economical approach to decreasing mortality and morbidity from cervical cancer and compares favorably to other commonly used interventions and diagnostic procedures.
Authors: Chandrika J Piyathilake; Denise K Oelschlager; Sreelatha Meleth; Edward E Partridge; William E Grizzle Journal: Cancer Inform Date: 2007-02-27