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 ¥1670 ($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.