Cost-Effectiveness of Smoking Cessation Within a Lung Cancer Screening Program in Canada

Background: Demonstrated lung cancer mortality reductions through low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) has encouraged some jurisdictions to consider implementing organized LDCT screening. A retrospective analysis of former smokers in the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) suggested that abstention from smoking coupled with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening realized more mortality benefits than abstinence alone or LDCT alone. Aim: We evaluated the potential costs and cost-effectiveness of lung cancer screening with integrated smoking cessation using OncoSim-Lung (version 2.5), a microsimulation model led by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, with model development by Statistics Canada. Methods: We compared organized LDCT screening without smoking cessation to various plausible scenarios of screening with cessation. Assumptions included: annual screening of 55-74 year-old individuals with a 30-pack-yr history; a 42% participation rate reached over 10 years; cessation therapy (nicotine replacement therapy + varenicline + 12 weeks' counseling) at a cost of $490; and up to 10 cessation attempts, with a permanent quit rate of 5% per attempt. Cost-effectiveness was estimated with a lifetime horizon, health system perspective and 1.5% discount rate. Costs are in 2016 CAD. Results: OncoSim-Lung projected that LDCT screening integrated with cessation would cost approximately $76 million annually (undiscounted) from 2017 to 2036 in Canada. About 110 fewer lung cancer (LC) cases and 50 fewer LC deaths would occur annually, compared with screening without cessation. Additionally, many other smoking-related deaths would be prevented. Using a lifetime horizon, smoking cessation would cost $14,000/QALYs gained. In one-way sensitivity analysis, with a 72% participation rate there would be 260 fewer deaths, at $24,000/QALY. With a 10% quit rate, cost-effectiveness would improve to $6,000/QALY. A 50% increase in the cost of the cessation intervention would decrease cost-effectiveness to $22,000/QALY. Conclusion: Robust smoking cessation efforts within a LDCT screening program could save lives and be relatively cost-effective. Cancer control planners should consider integrating smoking cessation when implementing a lung cancer screening initiative.

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Cost-Effectiveness of Smoking Cessation Interventions in the Lung Cancer Screening Setting: A Simulation Study

JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute ◽

10.1093/jnci/djab002 ◽

2021 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Christopher J Cadham ◽

Pianpian Cao ◽

Jinani Jayasekera ◽

Kathryn L Taylor ◽

David T Levy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lung Cancer ◽

Smoking Cessation ◽

Cost Effectiveness ◽

Cancer Screening ◽

Task Force ◽

Lung Cancer Screening ◽

Cancer Registries ◽

Web Based ◽

Screening Programs ◽

Life Years

Abstract Background Guidelines recommend offering cessation interventions to smokers eligible for lung cancer screening, but there is little data comparing specific cessation approaches in this setting. We compared the benefits and costs of different smoking cessation interventions to help screening programs select specific cessation approaches. Methods We conducted a societal-perspective cost-effectiveness analysis using a Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network model simulating individuals born in 1960 over their lifetimes. Model inputs were derived from Medicare, national cancer registries, published studies, and micro-costing of cessation interventions. We modeled annual lung cancer screening following 2014 US Preventive Services Task Force guidelines plus cessation interventions offered to current smokers at first screen, including pharmacotherapy only or pharmacotherapy with electronic and/or web-based, telephone, individual, or group counseling. Outcomes included lung cancer cases and deaths, life-years saved, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) saved, costs, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. Results Compared with screening alone, all cessation interventions decreased cases of and deaths from lung cancer. Compared incrementally, efficient cessation strategies included pharmacotherapy with either web-based cessation ($555 per QALY), telephone counseling ($7562 per QALY), or individual counseling ($35 531 per QALY). Cessation interventions continued to have costs per QALY well below accepted willingness to pay thresholds even with the lowest intervention effects and was more cost-effective in cohorts with higher smoking prevalence. Conclusion All smoking cessation interventions delivered with lung cancer screening are likely to provide benefits at reasonable costs. Because the differences between approaches were small, the choice of intervention should be guided by practical concerns such as staff training and availability.

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Cost-effectiveness of lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography in heavy smokers: a microsimulation modelling study

European Journal of Cancer ◽

10.1016/j.ejca.2020.05.004 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 135 ◽

pp. 121-129 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Yihui Du ◽

Grigory Sidorenkov ◽

Marjolein A. Heuvelmans ◽

Harry J.M. Groen ◽

Karin M. Vermeulen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Lung Cancer ◽

Cost Effectiveness ◽

Cancer Screening ◽

Low Dose ◽

Lung Cancer Screening ◽

Low Dose Computed Tomography ◽

Heavy Smokers ◽

Modelling Study

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Cost-effectiveness analysis of low-dose computed tomography screening for lung cancer in Hungary

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckz186.293 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽

Author(s):

Z Voko ◽

A Molnar ◽

V Valay ◽

M Moizs ◽

A Kerpel-Fronius ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Lung Cancer ◽

Cost Effectiveness ◽

Cancer Screening ◽

Low Dose ◽

Screening Programme ◽

Risk Group ◽

Lung Cancer Screening ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Low Dose Computed Tomography

Abstract Background Hungary has the highest incidence of lung cancer in the world (GLOBOCAN, 2018). Since lung cancer is rarely treatable in its advanced stage, one possible way to reduce mortality is early diagnosis and subsequent treatment. The possibility and necessity of introducing low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) lung cancer screening as a public health programme is a current and relevant health policy issue. Methods A Markov cohort model was built to assess the cost-effectiveness of such a risk group screening programme in Hungary. The model was populated with transition probabilities and resource utilization data derived from the HUNCHEST Hungarian lung cancer screening trial. The model results are presented in incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. Results A closed cohort of 10,000 smokers with the average starting age of 59 years was followed over life-time horizon and screened for lung cancer annually until the age of 74. Compared to the current scenario of no organized lung cancer screening in Hungary, the model resulted in an additional 0.1614 life-year gained per individual and an additional 0.2924 disease-free life-year gained per individual with annual screening frequency. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was EUR 608 indicating that assessed intervention is cost-effective in the analyzed setting. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the model results. Conclusions Results suggest that introducing low-dose computed tomography screening for lung cancer is a cost-effective intervention in Hungary. Considering the exceptionally high incidence and mortality of lung cancer in Hungary, the population could benefit from such a risk group screening programme. Key messages Low-dose computed tomography screening for lung cancer is cost-effectiveness in the Hungarian setting. Policy makers are encouraged to consider the introduction of a risk group screening programme.

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