What are the experiences of colorectal cancer patients with biomarker testing in Canada?: a mixed methods study

• Published in: BMC cancer Vol. 24; no. 1; pp. 1076 - 11
• Main Authors: Tongol, Elijah, Kang, Preet, Cheng, Vicki, Gastonguay, Louise, Beaudry, Felix E G, Servidio-Italiano, Filomena, De Vera, Mary A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 31-08-2024; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Analysis; Biological markers; Biomarkers; Biomarkers, Tumor; Canada; Cancer; Cancer patients; Cancer therapies; Care and treatment; Chemotherapy; Colorectal cancer; Colorectal carcinoma; Colorectal Neoplasms - diagnosis; Colorectal Neoplasms - psychology; Decision making; Development and progression; Female; Health aspects; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Knowledge; Male; Market surveys; Medical prognosis; Metastasis; Methods; Middle Aged; Mixed methods research; Oncology; Oncology, Experimental; Pathology; Patient outcomes; Patients; Polls & surveys; Qualitative Research; Radiation; Social aspects; Social networks; Surveys; Surveys and Questionnaires; Tumor staging; Canada; Biomarkers; Colorectal cancer
• ISSN: 1471-2407; 1471-2407
• DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12805-6

Molecular or biomarker testing to guide targeted treatments for colorectal cancer (CRC) has advanced care, specifically by improving treatment specificity. Our objective was to explore patients' experiences and perspectives with biomarker testing in Canada.
We conducted a mixed-methods study among adults (≥ 18 years) who have been diagnosed with CRC and able to communicate in English. Quantitative data was gathered using an online survey, with questions on awareness of and experiences with biomarker testing. Qualitative data was gathered using semi-structured interviews with a sample of survey respondents to provide context to survey findings.
Among 55 survey respondents, 76% have heard of biomarker testing and of these, 67% have had biomarker testing done. Among the 33% of respondents that have not had biomarker testing done, reasons were: not offered/referred, fear/anxiety over results, and cost. Respondents who had biomarker testing largely found biomarker testing useful (89%), though, only half indicated that they were able to understand the information on their biomarker testing report. Qualitative analysis of interview transcripts identified four themes: 1) perceived benefits of biomarker testing, 2) knowledge of biomarker testing, 3) experiences with accessing and receiving biomarker testing, and 4) recommendations for addressing challenges with biomarker testing.
Altogether, our study provides insight into CRC patients' perspectives and experiences with biomarker testing. Ongoing efforts by patient organizations, providers, and policymakers to improve awareness and access to biomarker testing must be informed by the patient perspective.