A range of novel cancer screening tests are in development, and the utilities estimated in this study will be useful in economic modeling conducted to examine and compare their value.

Results of this study add to the limited body of literature suggesting that there is a disutility (i.e., utility decrease) associated with false-positive cancer screening results.

Greater disutility (i.e., utility decrease quantifying impact on quality of life) of false-positive screenings was associated with more invasive follow-up diagnostic procedures, longer duration of uncertainty regarding the eventual diagnosis, and greater perceived severity of the suspected cancer type.