Adoption and Equity of Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Blood Tests in the U.S. Utilization Patterns, Diagnostic Pathways, and Economic Impact

Abstract

Multi-cancer early detection (MCED) blood tests are a novel and radical innovation in the field of oncology, with a promise
of identifying multiple malignancies with a single minimally invasive test. This paper will explore the equity and adoption of
the use of MCED in the United States with regard to utilization trends, diagnostic processes, and costs. There is evidence
that uptake is affected by the policies of payers and healthcare system readiness, along with provider awareness. Nonetheless,
health disparities still exist within the context of underserved populations especially because of socioeconomic forces
and differences in health literacy, as well as unequal access to high-level diagnostic technologies. The implementation of
MCED into the current diagnostic pathways leads to both opportunities and challenges such as the need to align it with
current screening recommendations, false positive management, and the need to provide the appropriate follow-up care.
Economically, MCED has potential to lower the cost of treatment in the long-term, as well as enhance the health outcomes
of a population, but actual cost-effectiveness depends on the fairness of its adoption and the strength of its implementation
strategies. Equity-based policies, longitudinal studies and handling these problems through policy-specific interventions
will be important in achieving the ultimate public health outcome of MCED blood tests in the United States.