Is it cost effective to introduce screening programmes for colorectal cancer? Illustrating the principles of optimal resource allocation.

This paper seeks to shed light on the relative cost effectiveness of colorectal cancer by comparing the cost effectiveness of this programme with the economics of another screening programme which is widely implemented: cervical cancer screening. The paper illustrates the principles of optimal resource allocation, and discusses the limitations and strengths of the analysis presented. The paper concludes that colorectal cancer is a cost effective option relative to cervical cancer screening when health is seen as the only outcome of the screening programmes. However, further insight into consumer preferences and inclusion of intangible costs and benefits is necessary in order to guarantee optimal resource allocation.