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Public attitudes towards screening for kidney cancer: an online survey
Laragh L W Harvey-Kelly1, Hannah Harrison2, Sabrina H Rossi3
1University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0SP, UK.
Background:
Kidney cancer is often asymptomatic, leading to proposals for a screening programme. The views of the public towards introducing a new screening programme for kidney cancer are unknown. The aim of this study was to explore attitudes towards kidney cancer screening and factors influencing intention to attend a future screening programme.
Methods:
We conducted an online population-based survey of 1021 adults aged 45-77 years. The main outcome measure was intention to attend four possible screening tests (urine, blood, ultrasound scan, low-dose CT) as well as extended low-dose CT scans within lung cancer screening programmes. We used multivariable regression to examine the association between intention and each screening test.
Results:
Most participants stated that they would be 'very likely' or 'likely' to undergo each of the screening tests [urine test: n = 961 (94.1%); blood test: n = 922 (90.3%); ultrasound: n = 914 (89.5%); low-dose CT: n = 804 (78.8%); lung CT: n = 962 (95.2%)]. Greater intention to attend was associated with higher general cancer worry and less perceived burden/inconvenience about the screening tests. Less worry about the screening test was also associated with higher intention to attend, but only in those with low general cancer worry (cancer worry scale ≤ 5). Compared with intention to take up screening with a urine test, participants were half as likely to report that they intended to undergo blood [OR 0.56 (0.43-0.73)] or ultrasound [OR 0.50 (0.38-0.67)] testing, and half as likely again to report that they intended to take part in a screening programme featuring a low dose CT scan for kidney cancer screening alone [OR 0.19 (0.14-0.27)].
Conclusion:
Participants in this study expressed high levels of intention to accept an invitation to screening for kidney cancer, both within a kidney cancer specific screening programme and in conjunction with lung cancer screening. The choice of screening test is likely to influence uptake. Together these findings support on-going research into kidney cancer screening tests and the potential for combining kidney cancer screening with existing or new screening programmes.
Insights
Most adults are willing to undergo kidney cancer screening, with urine tests being the most preferred. Intention to screen is influenced by cancer worry and perceived convenience, supporting further research into screening programs.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Oncology
- Public Health
Background:
- Kidney cancer often presents asymptomatically, necessitating screening program exploration.
- Public attitudes toward kidney cancer screening are largely unknown.
- This study aimed to assess public willingness for kidney cancer screening and identify factors influencing attendance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore public attitudes towards kidney cancer screening.
- To identify factors influencing the intention to attend a future kidney cancer screening program.
Main Methods:
- An online population-based survey of 1021 adults aged 45-77 years was conducted.
- Intention to attend four screening tests (urine, blood, ultrasound, low-dose CT) and extended lung CT scans was the primary outcome.
- Multivariable regression analyzed the association between intention and screening test type.
Main Results:
- High likelihood of participation was reported for all screening tests (urine: 94.1%, blood: 90.3%, ultrasound: 89.5%, low-dose CT: 78.8%).
- Increased cancer worry and lower perceived burden were associated with higher screening intention.
- Urine tests showed the highest intention for uptake, while low-dose CT for kidney cancer alone had the lowest (OR 0.19).
Conclusions:
- High public willingness to participate in kidney cancer screening was observed.
- Screening test modality significantly influences uptake intentions.
- Findings support continued research into kidney cancer screening tests and integrated screening programs.
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