Year-long study, published in Health Affairs Scholar, prompts need for multi-level intervention to increase adoption rates, combat cancer inequities
RENTON, Wash. [Sept. 4, 2024] – Following a year-long study, a group of Providence researchers have identified numerous factors that may influence cancer screening behaviors and perceptions of multi-cancer early detection tests (MCED) across historically marginalized racial, ethnic and rural groups. The findings, published last week in Health Affairs Scholar, come on the heels of the emergence of MCEDs as a less-invasive method of potentially catching cancer earlier with a single blood draw.
During the study, researchers explored barriers and facilitators to MCED test adoption among communities who have historically experienced health inequities to inform future, more equitable, implementation strategies. They found a series of factors that may affect screening behaviors at individual, interpersonal, health care system and societal levels.
“To our knowledge, this qualitative study is the first of its kind to examine multi-cancer early detection test adoption among Alaska Native, Black, Latino, and rural communities,” said Kristi Roybal, Ph.D., Providence clinical research scientist and lead author of the study. “At each of the four socio-ecological levels, we found barriers that may hinder people from accessing early detection screening tools, as well as opportunities for Providence to address these barriers from the outset and lead the way in equitable MCED test implementation.”
The research team spoke with communities who commonly face health care access barriers in Alaska, California and Oregon, holding 15 virtual focus groups comprising 85 participants — a relatively large sample size given the nature of the study. The study focused on general barriers to cancer screening, MCED-specific barriers and facilitators of MCED adoption. During the focus groups, participants expressed the need for medical professionals and trusted community members to proactively and intentionally build awareness around MCEDs and the importance of cancer screenings.
"From psychological impacts to lack of information about screenings to financial inaccessibility, identifying each one of these barriers not only signifies a step forward in understanding what challenges exist for historically marginalized communities in accessing MCEDs but provides direction for the health care community to intervene in meaningful ways to reduce this health inequity,” said Staci Wendt, Ph.D., Providence Research Network senior manager and co-author of the study. “As MCED tests become more prevalent, we are hopeful this study will help ensure these potentially life-saving technologies are accessible and beneficial to all communities."
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About Providence
Providence is a national, not-for-profit Catholic health system comprising a diverse family of organizations and driven by a belief that health is a human right. With 51 hospitals, more than 1,100 physician clinics, senior services, supportive housing, and many other health and educational services, the health system and its partners employ more than 129,000 caregivers serving communities across seven states – Alaska, California, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, and Washington, with system offices in Renton, Wash., and Irvine, Calif. Learn about our vision of health for a better world at Providence.org.
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