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

> **NIH CA K99** · DANA-FARBER CANCER INST · 2026 · $134,919

## Abstract

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 clinici

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11282712
- **Project number:** 1K99CA307630-01
- **Recipient organization:** DANA-FARBER CANCER INST
- **Principal Investigator:** Eric C. Blackstone
- **Activity code:** K99 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** CA
- **Fiscal year:** 2026
- **Award amount:** $134,919
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2026-04-14T00:00:00 → 2028-03-31T00:00:00

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11282712

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11282712, Establishing Ethical Standards for Informed Consent and Counseling for Multi-Cancer Early Detection Testing (1K99CA307630-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-07-12 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11282712. Licensed CC0.

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