Aims: Previous studies have indicated that despite an overwhelming interest in Molecular Tumor Profiling (MP), patients have quite poor knowledge about MP. The aim of the current study was to examine whether there were any psychological characteristics that could predict knowledge or perceived importance of MP above and beyond demographic characteristics.
Methods: The study consisted of adult participants with pathologically confirmed advanced or metastatic solid cancers of any histological type with a performance status of 2 or less and sufficient accessible tissue for MP. Participants completed a questionnaire when they had given consent to MP but not yet had MP. The panned accrual target was 1000, however, the actual sample size used was 777.
Results: Response rate was 92%. Advanced cancer patients had poor to moderate knowledge about MP with an average of 43% correct on the knowledge scale. Multiple regressions revealed that in addition to greater education (B = 0.02: 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.03: p < .001), variables most associated with knowledge were satisfaction with their decision to have MP (B = 0.04: 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.06: p < .001) and greater negative attitudes towards uncertainty (B = 0.04: 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.07: p < .01). Patients perceived MP to be of considerably high importance. Above and beyond having children (Exp(B) = 1.76: 95% CI, 1.13 to 2.75: p < .05), the most significant predictor of perceived importance was negative attitudes towards uncertainty, (Exp(B) = 2.50: 95% CI, 1.79 to 3.49: p < .001).
Conclusions: Identifying the factors that contribute to patients’ knowledge and perceived importance of MP, will increase the ability of health professionals to adequately support individuals in their decision-making to pursue MP, as well as contribute to the ongoing ethical debate regarding informed consent.