Table 2.
Cost-effectiveness of Screening for Melanoma in the General Population and in Siblings of Patients With Melanoma
| Screening Frequency | Total Cost, $* | Life Expectancy, y | Quality-Adjusted Life Expectancy, y | Cost-effectiveness Ratio ($/QALY) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General population | ||||
| No screening program | 236 | 18.932 | 13.537 | … |
| 1 Time, at age 50 y | 252 | 18.935 | 13.539 | 10 100 |
| Every 2 years beginning at age 50 y | 481 | 18.939 | 13.542 | 80 700 |
| Every year beginning at age 50 y | 905 | 18.940 | 13.543 | 586 800 |
| Siblings of patients with melanoma | ||||
| No screening program | 316 | 18.921 | 13.529 | … |
| 1 Time, at age 50 y | 331 | 18.926 | 13.533 | 4000 |
| Every 2 years beginning at age 50 y | 550 | 18.935 | 13.539 | 35 500 |
| Every year beginning at age 50 y | 970 | 18.938 | 13.541 | 257 800 |
| Higher risk siblings of patients with melanoma | ||||
| No screening program | 537 | 18.890 | 13.507 | … |
| 1 Time, at age 50 y | 545 | 18.903 | 13.516 | 900 |
| Every 2 years beginning at age 50 y | 753 | 18.924 | 13.530 | 14 700 |
| Every year beginning at age 50 y | 1162 | 18.930 | 13.534 | 99 800 |
Abbreviations: QALY, quality-adjusted life year; ellipses, an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio cannot be calculated for the baseline strategy.
*
All costs are reported in 2004 US dollars.