Using Simulation Optimization to Construct Efficient Screening Strategies for Cervical Cancer

• Main Author: Foufoulides, Christodoulos
• Format: Others
• Published: VCU Scholars Compass 2008
• Subjects: Simulation Optimization; Cervical Cancer; Screening; Physical Sciences and Mathematics
• Online Access: http://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/1605; http://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2604&context=etd

Cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women worldwide. Because cervical cancer is usually asymptomatic until the disease is in its advanced stages, cervical screening is of central importance towards combating cervical cancer. Alternative screening strategies are evaluated from an economic point of view through cost-effectiveness analysis. In the literature however, studies perform cost-effectiveness analysis on a limited number of de facto or predetermined screening policies. At present, no attempt has been made to construct efficient screening strategies through optimization, before cost-effectiveness analysis is applied. In this study simulation optimization is used to construct efficient screening strategies for cervical cancer by properly timing the screenings. The constructed strategies are highly cost-effective when a small number of lifetime screenings is available, and are more cost-effective than screening strategies used in practice or considered in the literature so far, indicating the value of optimal timing for other screened diseases as well.