Willingness to pay for mass screening for prostate cancer: a contingent valuation survey

Abstract

We recently reported on the willingness to pay (WTP) for prostate cancer screening with prostate specific antigen (PSA) using the contingent valuation method (CVM). This study, a continuation of the work outlined in the previous report, comprises a more precise and detailed survey. In an Internet questionnaire survey, 400 men aged 50-59 in Japan were randomly split into two groups: the ill-informed group (n = 207), which was provided with information about the detection rate, and the well-informed group (n = 193), which was given additional information about false positive/negative results, latent cancer, and the yet-to-be-demonstrated mortality-reducing effect of the test. The mean WTP was yen1670 ($15.2). Giving sufficient information would not decrease WTP for PSA screening. Men place a high value on 'peace of mind' through the ascertaining of no sign of cancer at the present rather than on the future-oriented life-saving effects that may be gained through such screening.