A Micro-Simulation Model of the Benefits and Costs of Prostate Cancer Screening and Treatment
Abstract
Although prostate cancer has immense human and financial costs, there is great uncertainty about how to best screen for and treat prostate cancer. This project uses data from existing studies of prostate cancer to develop a decision model to estimate the costs and benefits of screening and treatment for prostate cancer. Using new methods that account for the fact that prostate cancers may progress quickly or slowly and that doctors may not be certain of the actual pathologic stage of cancer when making treatment decisions, we are developing more accurate estimates of the benefits and costs of screening and treatment than have previously been available. In assessing the benefits of screening and treatment we consider the effects on both the length and quality of life. We are also using our model to look ahead to developing technologies to try to judge which ones may offer the biggest benefits to patients to help guide research dollars to the most promising advances. So far, we have been able to complete on time all the tasks we detailed on our original proposal. We expect our analysis to make a substantial contribution to prostate cancer research.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA377126
Entities
People
- David O. Meltzer
Organizations
- University of Chicago