Cost-Effectiveness of One-Off Upper Abdominal CT Screening for Lung Cancer in England

New research has shed light on the potential benefits and costs of incorporating one-off upper abdominal CT screening as an add-on to lung cancer screening in England. The study, led by researchers at the University of Sheffield, aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of this approach and its impact on various conditions, including abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and kidney cancer.

The research suggests that one-off upper abdominal CT screening could be cost-effective, particularly when considering early diagnosis of AAA, which drives the cost-effectiveness argument. However, the study also highlights the importance of considering all relevant diseases in screening models, as costs, harms, and benefits vary between conditions. The study's findings have significant implications for the development of future screening programs and the optimization of resource allocation.

Key Takeaways:

• One-off upper abdominal CT screening as an add-on to lung cancer screening in England is potentially cost-effective, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of £12,085.
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) contributes most to cost-effectiveness, followed by kidney cancer.
• Some cancer findings reduce the cost-effectiveness of screening, highlighting the need to consider various conditions when developing screening models.
• The cost-effectiveness of screening is driven by early diagnosis of AAA, which is a significant contributor to the study's findings.
• Screening is more cost-effective at younger ages, with screen-detectable disease prevalence, severity, and mortality risk contributing most to uncertainty.
• A larger trial would provide more robust data to refine the cost-effectiveness argument and inform future screening programs.

Statistics:

• The cost of one-off upper abdominal CT screening per person is £70.89.
• The screening produces 0.0059 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs).
• There is a 96% probability that one-off upper abdominal CT screening is cost-effective.
• The majority of the cost-effectiveness comes from the early diagnosis of AAA.
• Screening is more cost-effective at younger ages, with a significant reduction in cost-effectiveness at older ages.

Sources:

• "Cost-effectiveness of One-off Upper Abdominal Ct Screening As an Add-on To Lung Cancer Screening In England." British Journal of Cancer, 2025.
• University of Sheffield, Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research, School of Medicine and Population Health, Sheffield, United Kingdom.