Patient perceptions of stool DNA testing for pan-digestive cancer screening:A survey questionnaire

摘要

AIM:To explore patient interest in a potential multiorgan stool-DNA test(MUST)for pan-digestive cancer screening.METHODS:A questionnaire was designed and mailed to 1200 randomly-selected patients from the Mayo Clinic registry.The 29-item survey questionnaire included items related to demographics,knowledge of digestive cancers,personal and family history of cancer,personal concern of cancer,colorectal cancer(CRC)screening behavior,interest in MUST,importance of test features in a cancer screening tool,and comparison of MUST with available CRC screening tests.All responses were summarized descriptively.χ2 and Rank Sum Test were used for categorical and continuous variables,respectively.RESULTS:Completed surveys were returned by 434(29%aged 50-59,37%60-69,34%70-79,52%women).Most participants(98%)responded they would use MUST.In order of importance,respondents rated multicancer detection,absence of bowel preparation,safety and noninvasiveness as most attractive characteristics.For CRC screening,MUST was preferred over colorectal-only stool-DNA testing(53%),occult blood testing(75%),colonoscopy(84%),sigmoidoscopy(91%),and barium enema(95%),P<0.0001 for each.Among those not previously screened,most(96%)indicated they would use MUST if available.Respondents were confident in their ability to follow instructions to perform MUST(98%).Only 9%of respondents indicated that fear of finding cancer was a concern with MUST,and only 3%indicated unpleasantness of stool sampling as a potential barrier.CONCLUSION:Patients are receptive to the concept of MUST,preferred MUST over conventional CRC screening modalities and valued its potential feature of multi-cancer detection.