Risk-based innovations in cancer screening and diagnosis: a discrete choice experiment to explore priorities of the UK public

Objective To understand the importance and potential impact on uptake of different attributes of risk-based innovations in the context of risk-stratified healthcare for cancer screening and symptomatic diagnosis.Design The online survey comprised a discrete choice experiment (DCE) in which participa...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Stephen Morris, Jo Waller, Juliet Usher-Smith, Stuart Wright, Rebecca Dennison, Reanna J Clune
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2025-05-01
Series:BMJ Open
Online Access:https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/5/e093803.full
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Summary:Objective To understand the importance and potential impact on uptake of different attributes of risk-based innovations in the context of risk-stratified healthcare for cancer screening and symptomatic diagnosis.Design The online survey comprised a discrete choice experiment (DCE) in which participants chose between two risk assessment options or to opt out of risk stratification. There were six attributes: test method, type (genetic or non-genetic), location, frequency, sensitivity and specificity. Participants were randomly allocated to consider the choice in an asymptomatic or symptomatic context.Setting Members of the public in the UK.Participants 1202 participants completed the DCE.Outcome measures Conditional logistic regression and latent class analysis informed modelling of predicted preferences for a range of innovations with different features.Results Overall, participants preferred risk assessments over opting out and prioritised sensitivity, with test method and specificity also important. Genetic and non-invasive tests were favoured. With sensitivity and specificity of 80% or better, participants would be more likely to take up a risk assessment than not. Comparing the asymptomatic and symptomatic contexts, 65% and 73% of participants would be very likely to participate regardless of the innovation used, and 29% and 13% of participants might participate depending on the method, sensitivity and specificity. A minority showed strong dislike of risk-based innovations, particularly within screening.Conclusions There are high levels of public support for risk-based innovations within risk-stratified cancer healthcare, especially for referral decision-making and using genetic and non-invasive tests. Optimising risk-based innovations is needed to engage those whose participation is contingent on test methods and performance metrics.
ISSN:2044-6055