Lung Cancer Screening Cost Effectiveness in Medicare Population

$18,452 per QALY

Estimates Impact of Lung Cancer Screening on Life-Years Saved and Cost per Life-Year Saved,* Using Base-Case (I-ELCAP Data for Screening Results)
Impact of Screening Total Male Female
Cumulative life-years saved, yrs
2,825,652
1,313,423
1,512,229
Lead-time correction, yrs
568,599
276,563
292,036
True life-years saved (0-yr lead time life-year saved, yrs
2,257,053
1,036,860
1,220,193
Cumulative extra cost, $
41,647,811,614
23,241,454,701
18,406,356,913
Cost per additional life-year, $
18,452
22,415
15,065
Patients diagnosed with lung cancer in 2014
Average life expectancy without screening, yrs
3.07
2.81
3.36
Avergage life expectancy with screening (with no lead time), yrs
7.01
6.30
7.81
Avergage increased life span because of screening, yrs
3.94
3.49
4.47

*Life-years saved and cost are for patients with cancer aged 55-110 years.

I-ELCAP indicates International Early Lung Cancer Action Program.

Source: Authors' analysis.