Cost Effectiveness of Alternative Treatments for Local Breast Cancer in the Elderly.
Abstract
This project collected data from elderly women (67+) with early stage breast cancer who were treated in 1992-1994. Survey eligibility (confirmed cancer diagnosis and early stage disease) was determined by first conducting a mail/telephone survey of approximately 4,500 surgeons (92.2% response rate for eligible surgeons) regarding over 6,000 women covered by Medicare. 3,406 women were determined eligible, of whom 676 were deceased. Of the remaining eligible cases who were contacted, 1550 (86.9% response rate) completed telephone interviews providing current health status and other sociodemographic information. Medicare claims data for 1991-1996(1997 data will be added when available) were obtained for the decedents and survey respondents in order to conduct cost-effectiveness analyses (CEA). Initial results indicate that the rate of breast conserving surgery (BCS) was over 60% in each year, 1992-1994. This is much higher than had been suggested by earlier studies. Preliminary cost calculations show that mastectomy is more costly than BCS over the first five months following surgery. Comprehensive CEAs and behavioral analyses of treatment choice will be conducted under a complementary research project, "Care, Costs and Outcomes of Local Breast Cancer in Elderly Women," supported by Grant No. HS-08395 from the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, USDHHS.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA366886
Entities
People
- Jack Hadley
Organizations
- Georgetown University