Cost effectiveness and efficiency of the preventive healthcare sector : a case study into the Malta Breast Screening Program

Abstract

In this dissertation I try to assess the benefits of investing in prevention in the healthcare sector, particularly emphasising the benefits of breast cancer screening. Such screening allows us to detect the disease at earlier stages and thus have better cure rates. For this Purpose, data obtained from the Malta Breast Screening program, the Malta National Cancer Registry and the Ministry for Health, Elderly and the Community were evaluated. The costs and benefits of this program were compared and QALY's derived from having such a screening program in place. The dissertation concluded that the Malta Breast screening program seems effective in terms of costs per quality adjusted life year when compared to a strategy of no screening for breast cancer. However results must be interpreted carefully and are sensitive to estimates.