FEBRUARY 9, 2007 - A survey conducted by Directive Analytics for Siemens Medical Solutions indicates that nearly 72 percent of consumers would opt for a test that identifies diseases 20 years before symptoms appear. The survey also found that 35 percent want to know if they would be diagnosed with an incurable disease during their lifetime.
The survey consisted of a national online poll of 1,111 adults and was conducted to assess consumer attitudes toward growing scientific capabilities to predict diseases and disease onset.
The survey also uncovered: 52 percent of Americans would take necessary actions - despite the cost - to find treatment if they were diagnosed with an incurable disease; women would be more proactive with such actions than men; consumer knowledge of medical equipment is lacking; and middle-aged and affluent consumers are most curious about their future health, including diseases for which there are no current cures.