An economic evaluation of the use of tamoxifen in the treatment of early breast cancer

Paul Glasziou and Marion Haas

Discussion Papers from CHERE, University of Technology, Sydney

Abstract: This analysis compared the costs and benefits of tamoxifen for women with early breast cancer. The main question addressed was: what are the costs and benefits of the use of tamoxifen as an adjuvant treatment in terms of survival and disease free survival for women? Survival and disease free survival estimates were based on statistical overviews of existing clinical trial data (EBCTCG 1990, 1992), and used a method (quality adjusted survival analysis) developed to analyse controlled trials where overall survival and quality of life are important. The difference in benefits between those treated with tamoxifen and the control group was measured as a difference in QALYs gained. On average, women treated with tamoxifen gained 0.405 more QALYs than the control group. Calculation of the net cost over 10 years took into account the cost of tamoxifen and the cost of recurrence for both groups. The net cost over 10 years was $553. The incremental cost per QALY gained was $1365.

Keywords: Economic evaluation; breast cancer; tamoxifen (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I11 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 1994-02
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Persistent link: http://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:her:chedps:25

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