2Department of Chest Disease, Ege University, İzmir-Türkiye
3Department of Medical Oncology, Gülhane Training and Research Hospital, Ankara-Türkiye
4Department of Thoracic Surgery, Gülhane Training and Research Hospital, Ankara-Türkiye
5Department of Radiology, Ege University, İzmir-Türkiye
6Department of Medical Oncology, Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, Ankara-Türkiye
7Department of Chest Disease, Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir-Türkiye DOI : 10.5505/tjo.2024.4464 OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to analyze the cost-effectiveness of the national lung cancer screening program in Türkiye.
METHODS
In this cost-effectiveness model, the most likely protocol to be used after implementing a lung cancer
survey for Türkiye, the NELSON protocol, was used to make a comparison with the "no screening"
case. This protocol involves individuals screened using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT). The
model is anticipated to simulate 14 screening rounds, assuming an age range of 50?74 for lung cancer
and 58 years for the screening program participants. The main outputs of the model were total life
years gained (LYG), quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained in the screening arm, and the incremental
cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER).
RESULTS
The analyses revealed a total QALY gained in the screening arm of 12,465,801 vs. a QALY gained of
12,149,148 in the comparator no screening arm. The incremental QALY value was estimated to be
316,654. The total LYG were 15,954,511 and 15,370,671 in the screening and no screening arms, respectively,
resulting in an incremental LYG of 583,840. With lung cancer screening, stage III and IV cancer
were identified in earlier phases in 13,636 cases. Prevented early deaths were 7,576. For the lung cancer
screening program, the cost per QALY is $571, and the cost per LYG is $310.
CONCLUSION
Based on the results, implementation of the national lung cancer screening program was found to be
very cost-effective for Türkiye.