OBJECTIVES: Quantify the value of negative MCED test results from the US general population perspective.

METHODS: Cancer is the second-leading cause of death; early cancer detection can improve outcomes. MCED tests detect a shared cancer signal in plasma cell-free DNA. Beyond clinical and direct economic benefits, MCED may offer additional benefits (emotional, social, behavioral) associated with negative results (no cancer signal detected), which have not been previously studied.

RESULTS: The 1,073 participants were 53% female, mean age 58 years (SD 11), 77% white, 14% Black/African American, 13% Hispanic, 32% retired, and 42% had a high school degree or less. Nearly all participants (97%) viewed a negative MCED result as somewhat or very valuable and expected positive emotional impacts (72%). Among them, positive impacts included increased relief (84%), happiness (72%), confidence (69%), and motivation (45%). The majority (73%) reported they would maintain or improve health behaviors with a negative MCED result, including: healthy eating (98%), exercising (98%), adhering to recommended cancer screenings (maintain: 30%; increase: 68%; total: 98%), attending doctor visits (97%), using sun protection (97%), receiving vaccines (95%), and seeking health-related educational material (94%). Other areas of impact included financial (29%) and family planning (24%).

CONCLUSIONS: A negative MCED test result provides additional value to the US general population beyond traditional clinical benefits, has positive impacts on psychological/emotional health, and could promote adherence to or increase preventive healthcare behaviors.