SCREENING INTENT FOR COLORECTAL CANCER WITH TRADITIONAL TESTS AND NEW NON-INVASIVE PROCEDURES

The aim of this study was to compare people testing intent to screen for colorectal cancer using traditional/invasive screening tests and new technological non invasive medical procedures. In particular, we were interested in discovering which factors could increase people testing intent. A questionnaire was created to measure participants' intentions and beliefs in three European countries toward three types of test: 1) Colonoscopy, a traditional invasive procedure for cancer screening; 2) a Lab-on-a-chip test, a new test that employs sophisticated technology for sample analysis and quick diagnosis, and that uses a simple finger prick for sample collection; 3) a Home-kit version of the lab-on-a-chip test, that can be performed anytime at home by the patient itself. The questionnaire was divided in three sections. The first section asked for a series of test-related questions. The second asked for a series of general questions and the third section asked for demographic and other personal characteristics. Among the variables considered to predict and explain people testing intent, we included attitude towards technology and social values measured as defined by Gaskell et al. (2005). Six hundred eleven European citizens stratified by nationality, gender and four age categories (range 49-70 years of age) participated to the study. Results: Participant's testing intent increased noteworthy when the Lab-on-a-chip test (χ2(3, N = 610) = 337.67, p = .0001) and the Home-kit test (χ2(3, N = 609) = 187.99, p = .0001) were considered as default tests. This enhancement is more evident in younger adults. The introduction of a Lab-on-a-chip test significantly increased testing intent in all three European countries, and it reduced the cultural differences found with colonoscopy (McNemar-Bowker test of symmetry, p = .0001). Differences in social values toward biotechnology helped in explaining differences in testing intent: Scientific elitists expressed a higher testing intent using the Lab-on-a-chip test (McNemar-Bowker test of symmetry, p = 0.0001). This is reasonably due to the fact that scientific elitists are more favorable towards new technologies. In general, people tend to avoid screening exams, especially because of their invasiveness. The creation of a non-invasive procedure helps increase their testing intent. Individual differences and social values, however, can still affect their perception and their intention to undergo screening exams.