Colorectal cancer screening

Health technology assessment of a population-based colorectal cancer screening programme in Ireland

This HTA evaluated the cost-effectiveness, health outcomes and resource requirements of various options for a population-based colorectal cancer screening programme and was published in June 2009.

This HTA led to a subsequent request from the Minister for Health and Children to evaluate the resources assigned to the current population-based national cancer screening programmes to identify efficiencies that may be achieved within the present models and to evaluate colonoscopy services, and associated resources, within the HSE in order to support the provision of a national colorectal cancer screening programme in Ireland.

This evaluation was completed in October 2009 and played a pivotal role in supporting the Minister’s decision in January 2010 to introduce a national population-based colorectal cancer screening programme from 2012.