Attitudes toward molecular testing for personalized cancer therapy

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Genomics
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Assesses breast cancer patient attitudes towards molecular testing for personalized therapy and research.
• Highlights the growing importance of molecular testing in cancer treatment selection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate patient willingness to undergo molecular testing for guiding approved and experimental cancer therapies.
• To identify demographic and clinical factors associated with patient attitudes toward molecular testing.
• To explore patient preferences regarding the use of research results.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire-based survey was administered to female breast cancer patients at a cancer center.
• Data analysis focused on associations between patient characteristics and attitudes towards molecular testing.
• Response rate was 32% (100 out of 308 patients).

Main Results:

• 81% of patients were willing to undergo molecular testing for approved drugs and 59% for experimental therapy if insurance covered costs.
• Significant racial disparities were observed: nonwhite participants showed lower willingness for both approved (54% vs. 90%) and experimental (35% vs. 68%) drug selection.
• Nonwhite patients were also less willing to undergo research biopsies (17% vs. 55%).

Conclusions:

• Most patients support molecular testing and minimally invasive procedures for therapy guidance.
• Significant racial differences in willingness for molecular testing exist, even when results directly impact patient care.
• Urgent need for strategies to reduce disparities in genomic care delivery and boost minority involvement in biomarker-driven clinical trials.