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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Cancer Control Soc.
Sec. Behavioural Aspects in Cancer Screening and Diagnosis
Volume 3 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fcacs.2025.1568916
This article is part of the Research Topic Behavioral Research into Acceptability of Cancer Early Diagnosis View all 5 articles
Acceptability of using point-of-care tests for cancer in primary care: A UK public mixed-methods study
Provisionally accepted
Anam Ayaz Ayaz-Shah 1*
Richard Neal 2 Zainab Haider 1
Kelly Lloyd 1 Sophie Green 1 Nayab Nasir 3 Mathew Thompson 4 Samuel Smith 1- 1 University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
- 2 University of Exeter, Exeter, England, United Kingdom
- 3 NHS England, London, England, United Kingdom
- 4 University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
Introduction: Point-of-care tests (POCTs) for cancer in primary care have the potential to increase diagnostic certainty, improve triage and enhance patients' experience of diagnosis. However, there is limited evidence to support their adoption, and patient preferences have not previously been investigated. This study aimed to assess the prospective acceptability of POCTs for cancer in primary care based on a hypothetical vignette.Methods: This was a mixed-methods study based on the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (TFA) consisting of a quantitative online survey and remote qualitative interviews with the UK public. Quantitative data were reported as frequencies. Qualitative data were analysed combining inductive and deductive framework analysis.Results: 2303 adults completed the online survey, and 27 participants were recruited for follow-up interviews. The survey indicated most (92%, 2116/2303) participants found the potential use of POCTs for cancer acceptable or very acceptable. There were some small demographic differences in levels of acceptability. Interview findings indicated acceptability was primarily driven by a quick turnaround time for test results, with a preference for testing even when results were indicative and not confirmatory. Participants highlighted the importance of test accuracy, clear communication regarding test limitations, and having a genuine choice in the decision to take the test. Participants also discussed the improved likelihood of adherence to referrals for invasive testing following a positive POCT.Discussion: The use of POCTs for cancer in primary care is acceptable to the UK public, however important considerations regarding test accuracy and consenting for tests should be considered prior to implementation. Future adoption should evaluate acceptability of specific cancer POCTs, particularly in underserved populations.
Keywords: Point-of-care tests, Rapid tests, Early cancer diagnosis, Primary Care, Patient Acceptability
Received: 30 Jan 2025; Accepted: 17 Mar 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Ayaz-Shah, Neal, Haider, Lloyd, Green, Nasir, Thompson and Smith. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence:
Anam Ayaz Ayaz-Shah, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
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