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. 2023 May;10(1):e001136.
doi: 10.1136/bmjgast-2023-001136.

Dutch individuals' views of screening for oesophageal cancer: a focus group study

Jasmijn Sijben  1 , Yonne Peters  2 , Sharell Bas  3 , Peter Siersema  2   4 , Linda Rainey  3 , Mireille Broeders  3   5
Affiliations

Dutch individuals' views of screening for oesophageal cancer: a focus group study

Jasmijn Sijben et al. BMJ Open Gastroenterol. 2023 May.

Abstract

Objective: Screening for early oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC), including its precursor Barrett's oesophagus (BO), can potentially reduce OAC-related morbidity and mortality. This study explores Dutch at-risk individuals' views of screening an at-risk population for BO/OAC.

Design: We invited 372 individuals with risk factors for OAC from primary care practices, 73 individuals with surveillance experience, and 221 participants of previous studies (BO/OAC screening trial or survey) to participate in focus groups. Transcripts were inductively and thematically analysed by two independent researchers.

Results: A total of 50 individuals (42% with gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms) of 50-75 years participated. Themes that were raised included: theme 1 'screening intentions' describing participants' motivation to be screened (eg, early diagnosis, potential reassurance, physician recommendation, and knowing someone with cancer) or decline screening (eg, anticipated discomfort or suboptimal accuracy of the test); theme 2 'risk-based eligibility' describing the tension between effectiveness (eg, targeting high-risk individuals) and inclusivity (eg, making screening available for everyone); theme 3 'distributive justice', in which the pressure of a potential new screening programme on healthcare resources was discussed; and theme 4 'information needs' describing the perceived lack of information access and individuals' preference to discuss screening with their general practitioner.

Conclusion: Individuals not only expressed high willingness to be screened but also voiced the concern that a new screening programme may pressure limited healthcare resources. If implemented, it is crucial to develop educational materials that meet the public's information needs and explain the test procedures and eligibility criteria while avoiding stigmatising language.

Keywords: Barrett's metaplasia; Barrett's oesophagus; cancer prevention; gastroesophageal reflux disease; oesophageal cancer.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: PS is receiving unrestricted grants from Pentax (Japan), Norgine (UK), Motus GI (USA), MicroTech (China), and The eNose Company (Netherlands) and is in the advisory board of Motus GI (USA) and Boston Scientific (USA).

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Themes and subthemes. BO, Barrett’s oesophagus; GP, general practitioner; OAC, oesophageal adenocarcinoma.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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