The clinical and psychosocial consequences of genomic Multi-Cancer Detection (MCD) tests in underserved populations: a scoping review.
7 affiliations
- 1Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
- 2Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
- 3University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- 4Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA. [email protected].
- 5Department of Health Promotion Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
- 6Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
- 7Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
Abstract
Introduction
Multi-cancer detection (MCD) tests currently being tested in clinical trials may be a scalable, convenient means to improve cancer screening, yet little is known about the potential clinical and psychosocial consequences of doing so in underserved communities.Objective
To summarize the current literature examining potential clinical and psychosocial outcomes and consequences for MCD testing in underserved populations.Methods
We searched and then reviewed articles from five databases: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane. For inclusion, studies had to primarily focus on MCD testing within underserved populations. Out of 376 articles identified, 29 met inclusion criteria.Results
Financial constraints were the most frequently cited barrier (n = 23). 24 articles mentioned clinical consequences and nine mentioned psychosocial consequences, with the most common being lower rates of cancer screening with proven existing recommended tests (n = 10) and emotional stress, worry, and anxiety (n = 11), respectively. Many expressed concerns about underrepresentation in clinical trials.Conclusions
The review highlights common potential clinical consequences as well as important factors underserved populations may face if/when MCD testing is implemented in their healthcare. Future prospective studies, experimental and observational, should intentionally include underrepresented patient populations to better understand and address these challenges.
Related
- Understanding underserved and underrepresented populations in European clinical studies: a narrative review with systematic approach
- Understanding the influence and acceptability of health and wellbeing coaching in underserved populations: a qualitative systematic review.
- Effectiveness of health mediation to promote organised cancer screening among underserved and under-screened populations in Marseille, France: findings from a repeated cross-sectional survey.
- Association between psychosocial consequences of visual dysfunction and depressive symptom burden in multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder
- Real-World Implementation and Clinical Outcomes of Mavacamten in an Underserved Urban Cohort With Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
BibTeX
@article{low2026clinical,
title = {{The clinical and psychosocial consequences of genomic Multi-Cancer Detection (MCD) tests in underserved populations: a scoping review.}},
author = {Esther Low and Shritha Gayathri and Alexandra Wicker and Amanda Courtright-Lim and Jessica Austin and Jewel Samadder and Steven Ressler and Jon Tilburt},
journal = {BMC cancer},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s12885-026-16454-9},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42897498},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The clinical and psychosocial consequences of genomic Multi-Cancer Detection (MCD) tests in underserved populations: a scoping review.
AU - Esther Low
AU - Shritha Gayathri
AU - Alexandra Wicker
AU - Amanda Courtright-Lim
AU - Jessica Austin
AU - Jewel Samadder
AU - Steven Ressler
AU - Jon Tilburt
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - BMC cancer
DO - 10.1186/s12885-026-16454-9
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42897498
AB - Introduction Multi-cancer detection (MCD) tests currently being tested in clinical trials may be a scalable, convenient means to improve cancer screening, yet little is known about the potential clinical and psychosocial consequences of doing so in underserved communities.Objective To summarize the current literature examining potential clinical and psychosocial outcomes and consequences for MCD testing in underserved populations.Methods We searched and then reviewed articles from five databases: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane. For inclusion, studies had to primarily focus on MCD testing within underserved populations. Out of 376 articles identified, 29 met inclusion criteria.Results Financial constraints were the most frequently cited barrier (n = 23). 24 articles mentioned clinical consequences and nine mentioned psychosocial consequences, with the most common being lower rates of cancer screening with proven existing recommended tests (n = 10) and emotional stress, worry, and anxiety (n = 11), respectively. Many expressed concerns about underrepresentation in clinical trials.Conclusions The review highlights common potential clinical consequences as well as important factors underserved populations may face if/when MCD testing is implemented in their healthcare. Future prospective studies, experimental and observational, should intentionally include underrepresented patient populations to better understand and address these challenges.
SN - 1471-2407
ER -