Economics of Mammography in Norway : A Descriptive study of Mammography Screening fron Societal perspective

Abstract

Mammography is an effective screening method to detect tumor in early stages of breast cancer, hence it saves lives and improves quality of life. I give an introduction to breast cancer, including biology, incidence and mortality and motivations for breast cancer screening. In this thesis, I map all direct and indirect costs related to the mammography program in Norway. Direct costs of mammography screening include cost per mammography, cost per recall examination, maintenance of mammography buses, cost of invitations/results/reminders for mammography, recalling for recall examination, office space, personnel, whilst indirect costs consist of time cost, travelling cost and productivity loss. Norway is a welfare state where state bares the all costs for mammography except women has to pay a little out of pocket payment of 210 kr. Societal costs are vital and are not covered by the state. Individuals have to bare these costs self. To my knowledge this is the first through analysis of costs from societal perspective associated with mammography screening. In this thesis we conclude that the travel cost and productivity losses account for 35,30 % of total costs related to mammography screening. I conclude that these costs are vital and should be taken into account when making economics’ decisions about mammography screening.