Abstract
Mathematical models and decision analyses based on microsimulations have been shown to be useful in evaluating relative merits of various screening strategies in terms of cost and mortality reduction. Most investigations regarding the balance between mortality reduction and costs have focused on a single modality, mammography. A systematic evaluation of the relative expenses and projected benefit of combining clinical breast examination and mammography is not at present available. The purpose of this report is to provide methodologic details including assumptions and data used in the process of modeling for complex decision analyses, when searching for optimal breast cancer screening strategies with the multiple screening modalities. To systematic evaluate the relative expenses and projected benefit of screening programmes that combine the two modalities, we build a simulation model incorporating age-specific incidence of the disease, age-specific pre-clinical duration of the disease, age-specific sensitivities of the two screening modalities, and competing causes of mortality. Using decision models, we can integrate information from different sources into the modeling processes,and assess the cost-effectiveness of a variety of screening strategies while incorporating uncertainties.
Disciplines
Disease Modeling | Health Services Research | Medical Specialties | Statistical Models
Suggested Citation
Shen, Yu and Parmigiani, Giovanni, "Optimization of Breast Cancer Screening Modalities" (December 2003). Johns Hopkins University, Dept. of Biostatistics Working Papers. Working Paper 18.
https://biostats.bepress.com/jhubiostat/paper18
Included in
Disease Modeling Commons, Health Services Research Commons, Medical Specialties Commons, Statistical Models Commons