ID-5184 Wonca Abstracts supplement A-K 13-10-23 - Flipbook - Page 97
WONCA 2023 Supplement 1: WONCA 2023 abstracts (A–K)
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Patients’ views and experiences of genomic testing for
cancer risk prediction: A qualitative substudy of the
SCRIPT Trial
Ms Rachel Brooks, Sibel Saya, Jon Emery
The University of Melbourne
Background
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of death globally, with corresponding high rates of
diagnosis in Australia. Early detection through screening reduces mortality. A CRC polygenic risk score
(PRS) can provide a more accurate risk assessment than using family history alone. This personalised
risk can be used to recommend the most appropriate CRC screening. The SCRIPT trial is an RCT
comparing the provision of personalised screening recommendations using a PRS to standard care on
risk-appropriate CRC screening in adults aged 45–70 years attending GPs in Victoria, Australia.
Aims
This qualitative substudy of the SCRIPT trial explored patients’ perspectives on the implementation of
a PRS in general practice to tailor CRC screening, identifying how this risk information interacted with
enablers and barriers to CRC screening.
Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted with participants who received their CRC PRS
and personalised screening recommendations. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and
thematically analysed for common themes based on Rosenstock’s (1974) Health Belief Model (HBM).
Results
Results were framed within the HBM, identifying key domains in which aspects of the SCRIPT
Trial intervention targeted effectively. Participants understood the PRS and appreciated visual
representations of their risk scores. Some found the PRS results reassuring, while others suggested
receiving a high PRS would have scared them. Despite acknowledgement of the important role of GPs
in motivating patients to screen for CRC, patients described that they only see their GP reactively when
unwell and not proactively for preventative health.
Conclusions
These findings will provide evidence to assist in future development and implementation of a PRS to
inform patients of their personal risk and encourage action on screening. While patients in this age
group stated they most often see their GPs for acute health problems, they identified their key role in
motivating and informing patients to screen for CRC.
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