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Active Surveillance Economical Over Immediate Treatment for Low-Risk Prostate Cancer
Researchers in Canada have developed a model to simulate the cost of active surveillance versus immediate treatment among low-risk prostate cancer patients.
Active surveillance for low-risk prostate cancer in Canada could save nearly $100 million annually without worsening quality-adjusted life expectancy (QALE), according to results of a simulation comparing active surveillance with immediate treatment.
Many prostate cancers, especially those in the low-risk category, are indolent and may not require immediate treatment. At least one study has showed that QALE is greater for active surveillance than for brachytherapy, intensity-modulated radiotherapy, or radical prostatectomy.
Still, despite published guideline recommendations, as many as 90% of men with prostate cancer receive immediate treatment. Such overtreatment can be a tremendous financial burden to healthcare systems.
To see how costly it might be, Dr. Alice Dragomir and colleagues from McGill University in Montreal developed a Markov model with Monte Carlo microsimulations to estimate the direct cost associated with active surveillance and immediate treatment for low-risk prostate in Canada.
Then, they compared Canadian and US cost estimates, and published their findings online April 24th in CMAJ Open.
Source: Medscape
Exploring Racial, Ethnic Disparities in Cancer Care Prior Authorization Decisions
October 24th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the author of a study published in the October 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® that explored prior authorization decisions in cancer care by race and ethnicity for commercially insured patients.
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Uniting to Support Patients With Cancer Beyond Treatment
November 17th 2024Kasey Bond, MPH, of Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Health, speaks to why it’s vital to keep patients at the center of all strategic partnerships between academic institutions and community-based oncology practices.
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Examining Low-Value Cancer Care Trends Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
April 25th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the authors of a study published in the April 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® about their findings on the rates of low-value cancer care services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Bridging Cancer Care Gaps and Overcoming Medical Mistrust
November 13th 2024In this clip from our interview with Oscar B. Lahoud, MD, cochair of our Institute for Value-Based Medicine® evening hosted with NYU Langone Health, he addressed medical mistrust in underrepresented communities.
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How English- and Spanish-Preferring Patients With Cancer Decide on Emergency Care
November 13th 2024Care delivery innovations to help patients with cancer avoid emergency department visits are underused. The authors interviewed English- and Spanish-preferring patients at 2 diverse health systems to understand why.
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