COST-BENEFIT-ANALYSIS OF THE CERVICAL-CANCER SCREENING-PROGRAM

Objective, Previous researches pointed out the critical changes needed to increase the efficiency of the National Screening Programme of Cer vical Cancer in Mexico. These changes were assessed through a cost-ben efit analysis. This paper presents the results of that appraisal. Figu res are presented as USDollars of 1996 valued as 7.5 pesos for each do llar Results. The operational unitary cost of the integral process of the cytology - the obtention of the Pap smear, its transportation to t he interpretation centre, its analysis,and the notification of results to users-was estimated in US$ 11.6. lf the proposed changes are opera ted, the cost of each citology would increase by 32.7%. The benefit/co st ratio would be 2 and the net benefit of 88 millions of US dollars f or the next five years. Conclusions. The operation of the proposed cha nges is socially desirable, but should be supported the training activ ities of the personnel, the increase of the coverage of women at risk, the quality control activities, the monitoring of the program and the communication with women detected as positive cases.