Cost-effectiveness of screening for bowel cancer

Increasing bowel cancer testing rates through a general practitioner-organised health care package would reduce incidence and prove cost-effective

Treating bowel cancer is expensive, and the cost is rising rapidly. In the past decade, costs have increased for treating cancers at all stages (in particular, Stages 3 and 4), largely due to increased chemotherapy options and the introduction of more effective but expensive drug regimens.1 Increased treatment costs are a stimulus for the considerable effort in the areas of prevention and early detection.