Is There Value in Knowing? Perspectives of Cancer Screening Outcomes Among the US General Population
Author(s)
Sarah Mulnick, MPH1, Melissa M. Ross, MS, PhD1, Ashley Samuelson, MPH1, Karen Chung, MS, PharmD2.
1Thermo Fisher Scientific, Wilmington, NC, USA, 2GRAIL, Menlo Park, CA, USA.
1Thermo Fisher Scientific, Wilmington, NC, USA, 2GRAIL, Menlo Park, CA, USA.
OBJECTIVES: Multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests detect cancer signals in plasma cell-free DNA. While most receive no cancer signal detected (NCSD), an MCED test can lead to a stage IV cancer diagnosis even without symptoms. Little is known about the patient-perceived value of this results spectrum. This study explored US general population’s perceptions of the value of NCSD result as well as cancer signal detected (CSD) result leading to a stage IV diagnosis.
METHODS: Two independent data sources evaluated perceptions of hypothetical MCED test results among US adults aged 40-80 years. An online survey ascertained attitudes towards NCSD MCED result. Qualitative interviews among a smaller set of 10 individuals discussed CSD MCED result leading to stage IV diagnosis. Content analysis was conducted on transcripts; survey data were summarized and compared to interview results descriptively.
RESULTS: Of 10 interview participants (mean age=56, 3 non-white), 9 rated finding out about a stage IV diagnosis through an MCED test as extremely valuable. In addition to expected negative perceptions, positive impacts were also anticipated, including participating in experimental treatments/trials (90%), changing behaviors (80%; including diet [100%], exercise [50%], doctors’ appointments [38%]), changing priorities/goals (80%), and religion/spirituality (70%). If symptomatic pre-diagnosis, some positive emotions (relief, comfort, acceptance; 60%) were also projected.
Regarding NCSD MCED results, more positive and fewer negative impacts were endorsed by 1073 survey respondents (mean age=58, 23% non-white). Some expected positives were consistent: emotional/psychological (75%), self-care (57%), health monitoring (55%) and changing priorities/future planning (39%). Most anticipated maintaining or improving health behaviors (healthy eating [71%], exercising [71%] and adhering to cancer screenings [71%]).
CONCLUSIONS: Whether returning a NCSD result or a CSD result leading to a stage IV cancer diagnosis, an MCED test is perceived as extremely valuable. These sentiments may lead to positive impacts on individuals’ lifestyles/behaviors, priorities, and future planning.
METHODS: Two independent data sources evaluated perceptions of hypothetical MCED test results among US adults aged 40-80 years. An online survey ascertained attitudes towards NCSD MCED result. Qualitative interviews among a smaller set of 10 individuals discussed CSD MCED result leading to stage IV diagnosis. Content analysis was conducted on transcripts; survey data were summarized and compared to interview results descriptively.
RESULTS: Of 10 interview participants (mean age=56, 3 non-white), 9 rated finding out about a stage IV diagnosis through an MCED test as extremely valuable. In addition to expected negative perceptions, positive impacts were also anticipated, including participating in experimental treatments/trials (90%), changing behaviors (80%; including diet [100%], exercise [50%], doctors’ appointments [38%]), changing priorities/goals (80%), and religion/spirituality (70%). If symptomatic pre-diagnosis, some positive emotions (relief, comfort, acceptance; 60%) were also projected.
Regarding NCSD MCED results, more positive and fewer negative impacts were endorsed by 1073 survey respondents (mean age=58, 23% non-white). Some expected positives were consistent: emotional/psychological (75%), self-care (57%), health monitoring (55%) and changing priorities/future planning (39%). Most anticipated maintaining or improving health behaviors (healthy eating [71%], exercising [71%] and adhering to cancer screenings [71%]).
CONCLUSIONS: Whether returning a NCSD result or a CSD result leading to a stage IV cancer diagnosis, an MCED test is perceived as extremely valuable. These sentiments may lead to positive impacts on individuals’ lifestyles/behaviors, priorities, and future planning.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-05, ISPOR 2025, Montréal, Quebec, CA
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S1
Code
PCR251
Topic
Patient-Centered Research
Topic Subcategory
Patient Behavior and Incentives
Disease
SDC: Oncology