[The study of cost effectiveness of breast cancer detection in Catalonia].

Background: This study has researched the cost-effectiveness of Early Diagnosis of Breast Cancer in Catalonian women in the 50-64 age group.

Methods: The cost-effectiveness ratio was obtained by comparing the costs of a program for 100,000 women with results achieved. The program consisted of a twice yearly mammography on all of the women over a 10 year period. The study assumed a participation level of 70%, detection rate of 0.36%, 92% sensitivity and specificity of 94%.

Results: A cost-effectiveness ratio of 1,413.648 pesetas was determined per case of cancer detected. 705,489 per year of extended life and 783,982 per year of extended life adjusted according to quality. Cost-effectiveness of the test in the first year was 842,400 per case of cancer detected. 383,183 per year of extended life and 425,418 per year of extended life adjusted according to quality.

Conclusion: The results of the study are consistent with those obtained by other evaluations and show that early diagnosis of breast cancer is associated with a favourable cost-effectiveness ratio.