BACKGROUND:

Cancer is the second-leading cause of death world-wide. Early detection and intervention can significantly improve outcomes and reduce mortality. Multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests detect shared cancer signals in plasma cell-free DNA. Beyond clinical and economic benefits, there are other potential benefits (e.g., emotional, social, cognitive, and/or behavioral) from reduced uncertainty with additional information that may add to the value of MCED tests. There has been limited research on the perceived impacts of a negative result (i.e., no cancer signal detected).

OBJECTIVES:

To better understand the perceptions of the US general population regarding the value of MCED screenings with negative results, based on performance characteristics of an actual MCED test.

METHODS:

Qualitative one-on-one web-assisted 60-minute interviews of adults aged 40-80 years without a previous cancer diagnosis from the general population. Content analysis, an iterative coding approach based on organically emerging themes, was conducted based on transcripts using ATLAS.ti.

RESULTS:

All of the 25 participants (mean age=50, 28% black, 40% no college degree, 40% male) believed that there would be psychological/emotional benefits of a negative MCED test result: feelings of relief (n=20), confidence/reassurance (n=17), happiness (n=16), motivation (n=12) and optimism (n=7). Participants anticipated a reduction in anxiety (n=16), stress (n=16), fear/worry (n=13) and depression (n=8).

Participants felt that they would not decrease their preventative behaviors based on a negative MCED result and would either increase or maintain adherence to current single cancer screening (n=19), regular doctor visits (n=15), dietary and exercise routines (n=14; each) and sun protective measures (n=13). Other areas of impact included number of working hours, and financial savings and security.

CONCLUSIONS:

Negative test results from MCED tests provide potential value to patients in terms of emotional and psychological benefits. Comprehensive assessment of the value of MCED tests needs to consider both positive and negative test results.