AUTHOR=Kelley-Jones Charlotte , Schmeising-Barnes Ninian , Bonfield Stephanie , Taylor Lily , McWilliams Lorna , Waller Jo , Lidington Emma , Katsampouris Evangelos , Gatting Lauren , Scott Suzanne E. 

TITLE=Challenges of assessing acceptability in the context of cancer screening: a behavioral science perspective

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cancer Control and Society

VOLUME=Volume 3 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cancer-control-and-society/articles/10.3389/fcacs.2025.1608009

DOI=10.3389/fcacs.2025.1608009

ISSN=2813-835X

ABSTRACT=In response to an increased focus on acceptability research in healthcare, this perspective paper highlights the challenges of assessing acceptability and the need for, and importance of, further work to develop best practice guidelines for evaluating the acceptability of cancer screening. We report the results of a rapid consultation consensus survey carried out to explore the extent of conceptual, methodological, and translational challenges shared by those involved in assessing the acceptability of cancer screening. Our findings demonstrate that the current lack of consensus regarding the conceptualization and definition of acceptability is a key challenge which gives rise to further methodological and translational issues. The implications of the challenges experienced by those assessing the acceptability of cancer screening are discussed from a behavioral science perspective.