Analysis of the Breast Cancer Diagnosis Program: A Window of Opportunity
Author(s)
ELIO TANAKA, Sr., MD1, FABIO FRANCO, MD2, Romeu Kuabara, MD3, César Luiz Lacerda Abicalaffe, MD4, Tatiane Gomes, RN5.
1MEDICAL AUDIT, TNK MEDICAL AUDIT INSTITUTION, CURITIBA, Brazil, 2RESEARCH, UBERLANDIA'S UNIMED, UBERLANDIA , MG, Brazil, 3RESEARCH, TNK, GOIANIA, Brazil, 4RESEARCH, TNK, Curitiba, Brazil, 5RESEARCH, UNIMED, CURITIBA , PARANÁ, Brazil.
1MEDICAL AUDIT, TNK MEDICAL AUDIT INSTITUTION, CURITIBA, Brazil, 2RESEARCH, UBERLANDIA'S UNIMED, UBERLANDIA , MG, Brazil, 3RESEARCH, TNK, GOIANIA, Brazil, 4RESEARCH, TNK, Curitiba, Brazil, 5RESEARCH, UNIMED, CURITIBA , PARANÁ, Brazil.
OBJECTIVES: The epidemiology, as well as the clinical results and financial resources of an implemented BCSP were analysed .
METHODS: The analysis carried out approximately 106 oncological chemotherapy infusions per month. Most of them for breast cancer patients (67% of the infusions), followed by prostate (6%) and lung (5%). Of these 50% of breast cancer are in stages III and IV. Considering the high prevalence of breast cancer in advanced stage, a BCSP was created, where women between 50 and 69 years of age, with their last mammogram more than 2 years ago, were invited to update their exam.
RESULTS: Between August 2023 and May 2024, 2285 women were invited by phonecall . 624 of whom performed a mammogram. The median age and the interquartile range (IQR) was 61 years; 54-68 years old. The distribution of mammography results was respectively 13%, 11%, 70%, 3.2%, 0.8% and 0.16% between BIRADS 0 to 5. For this program, the co-participation (percentage paid by the patient) of the mammography exam, the total amount of $ 4.992 USD was assumed by the HMO . (co-participation value 8 USD x number of exams = 624 ) , ( RATE 1: 5 ) . One patient was detected with stage 4 breast cancer completely asymptomatic, but with her test outdated for more than 2 years. According to our record history, the anticipation of the diagnosis of this patient mentioned above brought a saving of $ 60.475 USD in 5 months, generating a return of investment (ROI) of 1:12.
CONCLUSIONS: To date, a mass BCSP for women between 50 and 69 years of age proved to be clinically viable and impactful. The return of the investment was 1:12, demonstrating that the action is pertinent and dominant .
METHODS: The analysis carried out approximately 106 oncological chemotherapy infusions per month. Most of them for breast cancer patients (67% of the infusions), followed by prostate (6%) and lung (5%). Of these 50% of breast cancer are in stages III and IV. Considering the high prevalence of breast cancer in advanced stage, a BCSP was created, where women between 50 and 69 years of age, with their last mammogram more than 2 years ago, were invited to update their exam.
RESULTS: Between August 2023 and May 2024, 2285 women were invited by phonecall . 624 of whom performed a mammogram. The median age and the interquartile range (IQR) was 61 years; 54-68 years old. The distribution of mammography results was respectively 13%, 11%, 70%, 3.2%, 0.8% and 0.16% between BIRADS 0 to 5. For this program, the co-participation (percentage paid by the patient) of the mammography exam, the total amount of $ 4.992 USD was assumed by the HMO . (co-participation value 8 USD x number of exams = 624 ) , ( RATE 1: 5 ) . One patient was detected with stage 4 breast cancer completely asymptomatic, but with her test outdated for more than 2 years. According to our record history, the anticipation of the diagnosis of this patient mentioned above brought a saving of $ 60.475 USD in 5 months, generating a return of investment (ROI) of 1:12.
CONCLUSIONS: To date, a mass BCSP for women between 50 and 69 years of age proved to be clinically viable and impactful. The return of the investment was 1:12, demonstrating that the action is pertinent and dominant .
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
EE51
Topic
Economic Evaluation, Epidemiology & Public Health, Methodological & Statistical Research
Topic Subcategory
Budget Impact Analysis, Novel & Social Elements of Value, Thresholds & Opportunity Cost, Trial-Based Economic Evaluation
Disease
Oncology, Personalized & Precision Medicine, Reproductive & Sexual Health, Surgery