Preference on Screening Frequency and Willingness-to-Pay for Multiple-Cancer Packaging Screening Programs in Urban Populations in Henan Province

MA Wen; YIN Ruihong; WANG Biao

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1004-437X.2023.22.007

Abstract：Objective To understand the frequency tendency and the willingness to pay for joint screening of various cancers among urban residents in Henan Province inorder to provide evidences for future screening project formulation and organtzation in this province and other areas with similar situations.Methods Based on the urban cancer early diagnosis and treatment project,a population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in urban communities in Henan Province.A face-to-face paper questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate the frequency and propensity of residents to receive joint cancer screening under the assumptions of completely free and completely self funded payment models,as well as their willingness to pay for screening every 3 years under the assumption of individual partial payment models,and the reasons for their unwillingness to pay.Results A total of 2 139 survey subjects were included,with an average age of(54.34±7.71)years old.The median annual per capita income of households in the past 5 years was 30 000 yuan.Under the assumptions of completely free and completely self funded payment models,96.3％and 79.3％respectively choose to undergo multiple cancer joint screening frequencies every 1-3 years.Assuming that screening is conducted every 1-3 years and requires individual partial payment,80.3％of survey respondents choose to be willing to pay a partial fee,but only 7.5％are willing to pay a amount greater than 500 yuan(this study assumes that the per capita joint screening fee is 1 500 yuan).The main reasons why survey respondents are unwilling to pay partial fees are that the fees are difficult to bear(66.5％),unnecessary(23.5％),and lack of time(17.6％).Conclusion Urban residents in Henan Province tend to have a higher frequency of joint cancer screening,indicating a positive demand for comprehensive cancer assessment and potential promotion space for joint screening.Residents have a certain willingness to pay for screening projects,but the amount of fee they are willing to pay is limited.