Colon Cancer Screening Blood Test Awareness and Willingness Among US Adults

Strategic Insights -

A recent study conducted in the United States explored the awareness and willingness of adults to undergo a colorectal cancer (CRC) screening blood test. The researchers aimed to assess the effectiveness of the blood test in increasing CRC screening participation. The study found that only 18.2% of participants were aware of the CRC screening blood test, and most were willing to get the test if it was free or covered by health insurance.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study discovered that 18.2% of participants were aware of the CRC screening blood test, indicating a significant lack of awareness about the test.
  • Most participants (77.9%) were willing to undergo the test if it was free or covered by health insurance, with 19.2% willing to do so if it cost $895 out of pocket.
  • The study identified correlates of participants' willingness to complete the CRC screening blood test, including high household income, routine medical check-ups, and a desire to discuss the test with their doctor.
  • The preferred CRC screening approach for future screenings was the blood test every three years (53.0%), annual stool tests (31.1%), and colonoscopy every 10 years (15.8%).

Statistics:

  • 18.2% of participants were aware of the CRC screening blood test.
  • 77.9% of participants were willing to undergo the test if it was free or covered by health insurance.
  • 19.2% of participants were willing to undergo the test if it cost $895 out of pocket.
  • High household income was associated with a 5.12 times greater willingness to complete the test.
  • Routine medical check-ups increased willingness to complete the test by 2.87 times.
  • Participants who were more willing to talk to their doctor about the test had a 2.55 times greater willingness to complete it.

Sources:

  • Colorectal cancer screening blood test: awareness and willingness among a national sample of adults post-Federal and Drug Administration approval. BMC Public Health, 2025,25(1):1-10. (BMC Public Health - http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com).
  • NewsRx. Study Findings on Colon Cancer Described by Researchers at Ohio State University (Colorectal cancer screening blood test: awareness and willingness among a national sample of adults post-Federal and Drug Administration approval). Cancer Weekly. June 10, 2025; p 55.