From the interviews we found that:
1. Biomarker Testing Brings Peace of Mind
Many participants who received biomarker testing told us it gave them more than just medical answers â it gave them relief. Even when results didnât change their treatment plan, just knowing they had explored every option brought comfort.
2. Thereâs Still a Lot of Confusion
Even participants who had heard of biomarker testing admitted they didnât fully understand it. Some said they âknew nothingâ or âdidnât know muchâ despite having had the test. Most relied on their oncologists for information, but many also turned to cancer organizations to help fill in the gaps.
3. Access Isnât Always Easy
Some participants had to push to get biomarker testing â one even paid out of pocket after being denied by their cancer center. Others said they werenât offered the test at all. For those who did get tested, the reports were often overwhelming or too complex to understand.
4. Patients Have Ideas for Change
Participants wanted clear, simple information â think pamphlets, short videos, and easy-to-use websites. They also suggested making test results easier to read, with visual aids or tools that explain what the biomarker testing results mean and how they relate to treatment options.
Why this research matters
This is the first study to explore the experiences of colorectal cancer patients with biomarker testingânot just in Canada, but globally. By combining survey data and interviews, we uncovered both how patients perceive biomarker testing and the barriers they face accessing it.
Most patients found biomarker testing useful, but many struggled to understand their results or werenât offered biomarker testing at all. Interviews revealed the emotional, physical, and practical impacts of biomarker testingâalong with clear suggestions for improving communication, education, and access.
By centering the patient voice, our study offers a roadmap for making biomarker testing more accessible, understandable, and equitableâso more CRC patients can benefit from these advances in precision cancer care.
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