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IS BREAST CANCER GENETIC TESTING WORTH ITS COST? Rochester, NY, USA – Genetic testing for the BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 genes associated with breast and ovarian cancer is economically advantageous for women, despite the costs associated with testing and the additional costs of preventive medical care if a genetic mutation is discovered. Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center used an analytic decision model to compare cost and patient quality of life to examine if the current guideline was cost effective. This study does not contradict current guidelines for genetic testing and shows that it is appropriate for insurance companies to cover this service. Current guidelines are used to approve genetic testing, and therefore it is important to know when it is cost effective. Our results show that insurance coverage may be appropriate even for women who have a lower probability of mutation. Genetic testing allows women at high risk for breast or ovarian cancer to have prophylactic surgery and avoid the higher costs, morbidity and possible death associated with those cancers. The test also provides an important quality-of-life benefit. Maggie Holland, a PhD candidate in Health Services and the lead author of the study, notes that the peace of mind gained by a woman from learning that she does not have a mutation was an important factor in this simulation. This study will be reported in Value in Health, the official journal of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and outcomes Research. Value in Health (ISSN 1098-3015) publishes papers, concepts, and ideas that advance the field of pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research and help health care leaders to make decisions that are solidly evidence-based. The journal is published bi-monthly and has a regular readership of over 3,000 clinicians, decision-makers, and researchers worldwide. ISPOR is a nonprofit, international organization that strives to translate pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research into practice to ensure that society allocates scarce health care resources wisely, fairly, and efficiently. For more information: |
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