Attitudes and Perceptions of Cancer Patients Toward Biospecimen Donation for Cancer Research: A Cross-Sectional Survey Among Chinese Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND: High-quality biospecimen collection from consented patients is crucial for cancer research activities. Patients' attitudes and willingness toward specimen donation influence high-quality biospecimen collection for cancer research activities.

METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional study among randomly selected patients from 11 cancer departments of Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital between August 2014 and August 2015. A total of 784 patients were included to complete a 30-item self-administered survey. We evaluated the patients' willingness to consider providing leftover samples and additional samples for cancer research purposes.

RESULTS: Among 784 patients, 683 (87.1%) and 653 (83.3%) were willing to donate leftover tissue and surplus blood after diagnosis, respectively. Six hundred thirty-one (80.5%) were favorably disposed to consider donating both tissue and blood samples for future cancer research. Female patients showed less willingness to donate biospecimens or related clinical data for research. First-hospitalized or older patients were less willing to provide leftover biospecimens or additional blood samples or even clinical data for research. By contrast, patients with a higher education level were more likely to donate leftover tissues after biopsy or surgery for research activities.

CONCLUSIONS: Most Chinese cancer patients were willing to consider donating blood and tissue samples for cancer research. Several factors, including age, gender, first hospitalization, and education level, can influence their willingness to donate biospecimens. We need to provide proper education to increase understanding of patients in biobanking activities.

IMPACT: This study provides novel empirical data on the likelihood of donating surplus and additional biospecimens and clinical health information among Chinese cancer patients.