Economic considerations in breast cancer screening of older women.

The incidence of breast cancer increases with age, tending to result in more favorable cost-effectiveness outcomes with more advanced age of the screened population. On the other hand, the decreased remaining life expectancy of older women can be expected to reduce the cost effectiveness of screening. To assess these competing factors, the cost effectiveness of a long-term breast cancer screening program was evaluated using a computerized simulation model. The cost per life year saved decreased when the 65-69 year age group was added to a program screening women aged 50-64. For older age groups, however, cost effectiveness became relatively less favorable. The cost per life year saved of screening the 80-84 year age group was 55% higher than for the 65-69 group.