Colorectal cancer screening blood test: awareness and willingness among a national sample of adults post-Federal and Drug Administration approval.

BACKGROUND

To assess awareness and willingness of average-risk adults to complete a colorectal cancer (CRC) screening blood test and evaluate test preferences for future screening.

METHODS

Following approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration, a cross-sectional online survey was conducted in September 2024 of adults ages 45-75 in the United States (n = 633). An informative statement about the new test was followed by a series of questions. Logistic regression identified correlates of participants' willingness to complete a CRC screening blood test.

RESULTS

Only 18.2% of participants were aware of a CRC screening blood test. Most (77.9%) were willing to get the test if free or covered by health insurance, while only 19.2% were willing if it cost $895 out of pocket. Participants were more willing to complete a free CRC screening blood test if they had a high household income (odds ratio [OR] = 5.12, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.63-16.13), had a routine medical check-up in the last year (OR = 2.87, CI:1.44-5.71), and were more wanting to talk to a doctor at their next medical appointment about the new test (OR = 2.55, CI: 1.92-3.37). Participants' preferred CRC screening approach for the future was the blood test every three years (53.0%), an annual stool test (31.1%), and a colonoscopy every 10 years (15.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

The blood test has the potential to increase CRC screening, as most participants were willing to complete the test if it was free or covered by health insurance. Findings can guide the development of programs that include the CRC screening blood test as an option.