# Preference for breast cancer screening in Chinese women: Discrete choice experiment

## TL;DR

This study explores what Chinese women prefer in breast cancer screening during the pandemic, finding that ultrasound, no side effects, and lower costs are key factors.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific screening preferences of Chinese women during the pandemic using discrete choice experiments.

## Key findings

- Participants preferred 'Ultrasound Screening', 'No side effects', and higher medical reimbursement rates.
- Lower screening costs and shorter durations were significant factors influencing screening choices.
- Latent class analysis revealed distinct preference patterns among participants.

## Abstract

Breast cancer is a common tumor in women, which significantly impacts their health and quality of life. The incidence of breast cancer has been increasing globally.

This study aimed to investigate the preferences of Chinese women regarding breast cancer screening (BCS) during the COVID‐19 pandemic and examine how these preferences influence their screening choices.

The online DCE (Discrete Choice Experiment) questionnaire was designed through Sawtooth Lighthouse Studio (9.8.1) with the following selected attributes: acceptable hospital distances, acceptable hospital grades, duration of each screening, main screening method, total acceptable length of screening, and total cost of screening. Data were analyzed with a mixed logistic analysis after the data collection was completed. A latent class analysis was also performed to observe the screening preferences of participants, their willingness to pay, and to infer whether the distribution of preferences between the different parties was statistically significant.

A total of 397 people filled out the questionnaire, and 325 people met the inclusion criteria after being screened by trap questions. Each attribute is important in shaping participants' preferences for BCS provision. People preferred “Ultrasound Screening,” “No side effects,” higher medical reimbursement rates, and lower costs.

These findings provide valuable insights into the thoughts and preferences of participants regarding BCS. Healthcare providers should take these preferences into consideration to improve patient compliance and enhance the effectiveness and safety of clinical care.

This study investigated Chinese women's preferences for breast cancer screening choices during the COVID‐19 pandemic and how these preferences influence their choices. The results indicated that “Ultrasound Screening,” “Day of appointment,” and “No side effects” were the preferred options.