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Establishing Ethical Standards for Informed Consent and Counseling for Multi-Cancer Early Detection Testing

Award Number: K99CA307630
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/14/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/31/2028

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Establishing Ethical Standards for Informed Consent and Counseling for Multi-Cancer Early Detection Testing - PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT Candidate: Dr. Eric Blackstone is a bioethics research fellow with extensive cancer research experience and training in qualitative methodology and bioethics. Dr. Blackstone conducts theoretical and empirical research to support ethical delivery of cancer care and promote value-concordant decision-making. His long-term goal is to improve the ethical conduct of cancer care and research by becoming a highly productive independent investigator whose research will be used to inform policy and develop interventions to support patients and their families as they make challenging decisions during their cancer journeys. Background: Novel blood-based multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests present an opportunity to significantly expand screening efforts due to their ability to detect over 50 types of cancer from one blood draw. It is currently unknown whether MCED tests detect cancers early enough to alter disease course and improve survival, however. Despite this lack of evidence, MCED testing is already commercially available at significant cost. The speed with which this technology is being disseminated despite inconclusive evidence regarding benefits and risks raises critical ethical concerns. Research Plan: The objectives are to evaluate patient comprehension of key MCED information and experiences with informed consent and results counseling (Aim 1), and to elicit attitudes and ethical concerns of oncology and primary care clinicians regarding MCED (Aim 2). These data will inform creation of ethical guidelines for implementation of this technology through a modified Delphi process to achieve consensus among bioethicists and cancer early detection experts (Aim 3). These ethical guidelines and findings from previous aims will guide development and pilot testing of a web-based intervention to optimize MCED informed consent and results counseling (Aim 4). Career Development Plan: Under the mentorship of highly successful researchers and clinicians, Dr. Blackstone will gain expertise through a comprehensive training plan focused on (1) quantitative and mixed methodology, (2) behavioral intervention development, and (3) professional development. These skills combined with mentored research experience will facilitate Dr. Blackstone’s transition to independence and make him a strong candidate for future R01 or similar funding. Environment: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is home to one of the only MCED Clinics in the nation, and they are committed to being ethical leaders in MCED. The proposed research will be conducted under the mentorship of Drs. Gregory Abel, Catherine Marinac, and Elizabeth O’Donnell. Dr. Blackstone will receive additional guidance from an advisory committee with expertise in developing and testing interventions for cancer early detection and improving informed consent in oncology.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $134,919 )
2026	2026	DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE, INC.	450 BROOKLINE AVE	BOSTON	MA	02215	SUFFOLK	USA	Cancer Research Manpower	000	1	4/21/2026	NEW	$134,919
														Subtotal = $134,919

Grand Total All Awards = $134,919

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Establishing Ethical Standards for Informed Consent and Counseling for Multi-Cancer Early Detection Testing

Award Number: K99CA307630

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/14/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/31/2028

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