Aims: Knowledge of consumer perspectives of personalized medicine (PM) is limited. Our study assessed consumer perspectives of PM, with a focus on oncology care, to inform industry, clinician and payer stakeholders' programs and policy.
Materials & methods: A nationally representative survey of 602 US consumers' ≥30 years old explored familiarity, perspectives and expected value of PM.
Results: Most (73%) respondents have not heard of 'personalized medicine,' though after understanding the term most (95%) expect PM to have a positive beneft. Consumer's willingness to pay is associated with products' impact on survival, rather than predicting disease risk. If testing indicates consumers are not candidates for oncology therapies, most (84%) would seek a second opinion or want therapy anyway.
Conclusions: Understanding heterogeneity in consumer perspectives of PM can inform program and policy development.
Keywords: consumers; education; knowledge; oncology; personalized medicine; perspectives; value.