Preferences for Blood-based Colon Cancer Screening Differ by Race/ethnicity

Objectives: To examine attitudes of a diverse community-based sample toward SEPT9, a simple, cost-effective colorectal cancer (CRC) blood test.

Methods: One-hundred participants eligible for CRC screening (Mage =58.3; 44% unscreened; 38% white, 31% Hispanic, 31% black) completed cross-sectional surveys of their screening preferences following group discussions of colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, FOBT, and SEPT9.

Results: Overall, 91% ranked SEPT9 first or second. Controlling for sociodemographic factors, unscreened Whites strongly preferred SEPT9, listing multiple advantages, whereas unscreened Blacks preferred colonoscopy. Only 19% of the sample listed negative aspects.

Conclusion: Blood-based screening for CRC was widely favored. Future research on medical decision-making should examine the basis for racial/ethnic differences in biomarker screening preferences.