Acceptability and perceptions of personalised risk-based cancer screening among health-care professionals and the general public: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis examines the acceptability and perceptions of personalised risk-based screening (PRBS) for breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancer among the general public and health-care professionals.

The study synthesises data from 63 research articles published between 2010 and 2024, with findings indicating that PRBS is generally acceptable to both the public (78%) and health-care professionals (86%). However, concerns were raised about the accuracy of risk calculations and the implications of reducing screening frequencies for low-risk individuals. Key barriers to implementation include the time and resources required for effective PRBS integration.

The review highlights the need for further research and policy considerations to address these challenges and support the transition towards more targeted and efficient cancer screening programmes.