HPV self-sampling as an alternative strategy in non-attenders for cervical screening - a randomised controlled trial.
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ABSTRACT: A randomised trial to ascertain whether women who do not attend for cervical screening are more likely to respond to the opportunity to collect a self-sample for human papillomavirus (HPV) testing, or to a further invitation to attend for cervical screening.The study was carried out in a Primary Care Trust (PCT) in London between June 2009 and December 2009. In total, 3000 women were randomly selected from persistent non-responders (i.e., who had not responded to at least two invitations to attend for screening). The women were randomised on a 1 : 1 basis to either receive an HPV self-sampling kit or a further invitation to attend for cervical cytology. The main outcome measures were (1) percentage of women attending for cervical cytology compared with those returning a self-sample HPV test or attending for cytology subsequent to receiving the kit and (2) percentage of those testing positive for HPV who attended further investigation.The total response in the self-sampling group for screening was 10.2%. Of the 1500 women in the control group sent a further invitation for cervical screening, 4.5% attended for cytology screening. This difference is highly statistically significant (P<0.0001). Of the 8 women who tested positive for HPV, 7 attended for a cervical smear and had a concurrent colposcopy. Three of these (43%) had high-grade disease (defined as CIN 2+), with one found to have an invasive cancer (stage 1b) and one CIN 3.The value of this intervention relies on the detection of high-grade CIN and early stage cancer with a good prognosis. The relatively high yield of abnormalities found is consistent with that expected among a hard to reach and relatively high-risk group of women. Our study suggests that self-sampling could increase participation among non-responders in England, but further work is needed to ascertain whether the low response rate seen here is likely to be representative of the rest of the country. Other studies are needed to investigate the response to self-sampling in different demographic and geographic settings.
Project description:BackgroundCervical cancer screening participation is suboptimal in most settings. We assessed whether human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling may increase screening participation among long-term non-attenders in Norway.MethodsA pragmatic randomised controlled trial with participation as the primary outcome was initiated in the national cervical screening programme in March 2019. A random sample of 6000 women aged 35-69 years who had not attended screening for at least 10 years were randomised 1:1:1 to receive either (i) a reminder to attend regular screening (control), (ii) an offer to order a self-sampling kit (opt-in) for HPV testing or (iii) a self-sampling kit unsolicited (send-to-all) for HPV testing.ResultsTotal participation was 4.8%, 17.0% and 27.7% among control, opt-in and send-to-all (P < 0.0001; participation difference (%) send-to-all vs. control: 22.9 (95%CI: 20.7, 25.2); opt-in vs. control: 12.3 (95%CI: 10.3, 14.2); send-to-all vs. opt-in: 10.7 (95% CI: 8.0, 13.3)). High-risk HPV was detected in 11.5% of self-samples and 9.2% of clinician-collected samples (P = 0.40). Most women (92.5%) who returned a positive self-sample attended the clinic for triage testing. Of the 933 women screened, 33 (3.5%) had CIN2 + (1.1%, 3.7%, 3.8% among control, opt-in, and send-to-all, respectively), and 11 (1.2%) had cervical cancer (0%, 1.2%, 1.3% among control, opt-in, send-to-all, respectively).ConclusionOpt-in and send-to-all self-sampling increased screening participation among long-term, higher-risk non-attenders.Clinical trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03873376.
Project description:BackgroundThe aim of this study is to evaluate whether self-sampling can increase screening attendance of women who do not attend regular screening in Switzerland.MethodsParticipants were proactively recruited in Geneva between September 2011 and November 2015. Women (25-69 years) who had not undergone CC screening in the last 3 years were considered eligible. Through a 1 : 1 ratio randomisation, enrolled participants were invited to either undergo liquid-based cytology, which was performed by a health-care provider (control group, CG) or to take a self-sample for HPV-testing, which was mailed to their home (intervention group, IG).ResultsA total of 331 and 336 women were randomised in the CG and in the IG, respectively. Overall, 7.3% (95% CI: 4.9-10.6) women in the CG and 5.7% (95% CI: 3.6-8.7) women in the IG did not undergo the initial screening (P=0.400). There were 1.95% (95% CI: 0.8-4.3) women in the CG and 5.05% (95% CI: 3.1-8.1) women in the IG with a positive screen who did not attend triage and colposcopy (P=0.036).ConclusionsThe participation in CC screening in women offered self-sampling was not higher than among those offered specimen collection by a clinician. Compliance with further follow-up for women with a positive HPV test on the self-sample requires further attention.
Project description:Background To overcome obstacles within the Slovenian organised cervical cancer screening programme, a randomised pilot study of human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling among non-attenders was performed, aiming to assess three different screening approaches. Participants and methods Non-attenders aged 30-64 years from two Slovenian regions were randomised to two HPV self-sampling groups-the opt-in (I1, n = 14.400) and the opt-out (I2, n = 9.556), with a control group (P, n = 2.600). Self-collected samples were analysed using the Hybrid Capture 2 assay. HPV-positive women were invited to a colposcopy. The overall and type-specific intention-to-screen response rates and histological outcomes with a positive predictive value (PPV) according to the women's age, the screening approach, the level of protection resulting from previous screening history, and the region of residence were assessed. Results Of the 26.556 women enrolled, 8.972 (33.8%) responded with self-sample for HPV testing and/or traditional cytology within one year of enrolment. Response rates were 37.7%, 34.0% and 18.4% (p < 0.050) for opt-out, opt-in and control groups. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)2+ was diagnosed in 3.9/1.000, 3.4/1.000, and 3.1/1.000 women (p > 0.050), respectively. PPV of the HPV self-sampling was 12.0% and 9.6% for CIN2+ and CIN3+. The highest PPV was obtained in non-attenders in screening programme for more than 10-years and concordant results of HPV testing with 40.8% for CIN2+ and 38.8% for CIN3+. Conclusions The results of our study show that a high response to HPV self-sampling can be achieved also in an opt-in approach, if women are encouraged to choose between self-sampling at home and screening with gynaecologist. In addition, clinically important risk difference for a high-grade cervical lesion exists in the case of a positive result of HPV testing on self-collected samples, depending on the length of the interval since last screening. Stratified management of these women should be strongly considered. Women who were not screened with cytology for at least 10 years should be referred to immediate colposcopy for histology verification instead to delayed re-testing.
Project description:BACKGROUND: In Italy, cervical cancer screening programmes actively invite women aged 25-64 years. Programmes are hindered by low participation. METHODS: A sample of non-responder women aged 35-64 years, belonging to three different programmes (in Rome, Florence and Teramo), was randomly split into four arms: two control groups received standard recall letters to perform either Pap-test (first group) or human papillomavirus (HPV) test (second group) at the clinic. A third arm was sent letters offering a self-sampler for HPV testing, to be requested by phone, whereas a fourth group was directly sent the self-samplers home. RESULTS: Compliance with standard recall was 13.9% (N619). Offering HPV test at the clinic had a nonsignificant effect on compliance (N616, relative risk (RR)=1.08; 95% CI=0.82-1.41). Self-sampler at request had the poorest performance, 8.7% (N622, RR=0.62; 95% CI=0.45-0.86), whereas direct mailing of the self-sampler registered the highest compliance: 19.6% (N616, RR=1.41; 95% CI=1.10-1.82). This effect on compliance was observed only in urban areas, Florence and Rome (N438, RR=1.69; 95% CI=1.24-2.30), but not in Abruzzo (N178, RR=0.95; 95% CI=0.61-1.50), a prevalently rural area. CONCLUSIONS: Mailing self-samplers to non-responders may increase compliance as compared with delivering standard recall letters. Nevertheless, effectiveness is context specific and the strategy costs should be carefully considered.
Project description:Objectives: The cervical cancer screening coverage remains moderate (60%) in France. The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of two experimental invitation strategies (offer of urine or vaginal self-sampling kits) to reach under-screened populations and compare them with the current invitation strategy in rural departments (low medical density and low participation rate) in France. Methods: The study is a randomised controlled trial with three arms: a control arm (conventional invitation letter) and two experimental arms (mailing of a urine or vaginal self-sampling kit). The target population includes women aged 30-65 years, who had no screening test recorded since more than 4 years and who did not respond to an invitation letter within 12 months before. The primary outcome measure is the participation rate in each arm. A team of psychologists will also investigate attitudes and experiences by semi-structured/focus-group interviews with voluntary CapU4 participants and with health professionals. Result and conclusion: CapU4 will identify effective strategies to reach women not responding to current screening invitations and will generate information about acceptance of self-sampling among women and health professionals.
Project description:BackgroundUnderserved ethnic minority women experience significant disparities in cervical cancer incidence and mortality, mainly due to lack of cervical cancer screening. Barriers to Pap smear screening include lack of knowledge, lack of health insurance and access, and cultural beliefs regarding disease prevention. In our previous SUCCESS trial, we demonstrated that HPV self-sampling delivered by a community health worker (CHW) is efficacious in circumventing these barriers. This approach increased screening uptake relative to navigation to Pap smear screening. SUCCESS trial participants, as well as our community partners, provided feedback that women may prefer the HPV self-sampler to be delivered through the mail, such that they would not need to schedule an appointment with the CHW. Thus, our current trial aims to elucidate the efficacy of the HPV self-sampling method when delivered via mail.DesignWe are conducting a randomized controlled trial among 600 Haitian, Hispanic, and African-American women from the South Florida communities of Little Haiti, Hialeah, and South Dade. Women between the ages of 30 and 65 years who have not had a Pap smear within the past 3 years are eligible for the study. Women are recruited by CHWs and complete a structured interview to assess multilevel determinants of cervical cancer risk. Women are then randomized to receive HPV self-sampling delivered by either the CHW (group 1) or via mail (group 2). The primary outcome is completion of HPV self-sampling within 6 months post enrollment.DiscussionOur trial is among the first to examine the efficacy of the mailed HPV self-sampling approach. If found to be efficacious, this approach may represent a cost-effective strategy for cervical cancer screening within underserved and underscreened minority groups.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02202109 . Registered on 9 July 2014.
Project description:BackgroundParticipation in cervical cancer screening varies by socioeconomic status. The aims were to assess if offering human papilloma virus (HPV) self-sampling kits has an effect on screening participation among various socioeconomic groups and to determine if two invitation strategies for offering self-sampling influence the participation rate equally.MethodsThe study was based on registry data that were applied to data from a randomized controlled trial (n=9,791) measuring how offering HPV self-sampling affected screening participation. The women received either 1) a self-sampling kit mailed directly to their homes (directly mailed group); 2) an invitation to order the kit (opt-in group); or 3) a standard second reminder to attend regular cytology screening (control group). The participation data were linked to registries containing socioeconomic information.ResultsWomen in the directly mailed group participated significantly more than women in the control group, regardless of their socioeconomic status, but the largest effects were observed in Western immigrants (participation difference [PD]=18.1%, 95% CI=10.2%-26.0%) and social welfare recipients (PD=15.2%, 95% CI=9.7%-20.6%). Compared with the control group, opt-in self-sampling only had an insignificant effect on participation among women who were immigrants, retired, or less educated. Western immigrants had a significantly higher increase in participation than native Danish women when kits were mailed directly compared with the opt-in strategy (PD=18.1%, 95% CI=10.2%-26.2% and PD=5.5%, 95% CI=2.9%-8.1%, respectively, P=0.01).ConclusionAll socioeconomic groups benefited from the directly mailed strategy in terms of higher screening participation, but Western immigrants and lower socioeconomic groups seemed to benefit the most. Immigrants and some lower socioeconomic groups only had insignificant benefits of opt-in self-sampling. The directly mailed strategy might be preferable to opt-in self-sampling because it ensures that ethnic minority groups obtain benefits of introducing HPV self-sampling in an organized cervical cancer screening program.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials NCT02680262. Registered February 10, 2016.
Project description:BackgroundEthnic minority women are at increased risk of cervical cancer. Self-sampling for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is a promising approach to increase cervical screening among hard-to-reach populations.ObjectiveTo compare a community health worker (CHW)-led HPV self-sampling intervention with standard cervical cancer screening approaches.DesignA 26-week single-blind randomized pragmatic clinical trial.ParticipantsFrom October 6, 2011 to July 7, 2014, a total of 601 Black, Haitian, and Hispanic women aged 30-65 years in need of cervical cancer screening were recruited, 479 of whom completed study follow-up.InterventionsParticipants were randomized into three groups: (1) outreach by CHWs and provision of culturally tailored cervical cancer screening information (outreach), (2) individualized CHW-led education and navigation to local health care facilities for Pap smear (navigation), or (3) individualized CHW-led education with a choice of HPV self-sampling or CHW-facilitated navigation to Pap smear (self-swab option).Main measuresThe proportion of women in each group whom self-reported completion of cervical cancer screening. Women lost to follow-up were considered as not having been screened.Key resultsOf the 601 women enrolled, 355 (59%) were Hispanic, 210 (35%) were Haitian, and 36 (6%) were non-Haitian Black. In intent-to-treat analyses, 160 of 207 (77%) of women in the self-swab option group completed cervical cancer screening versus 57 of 182 (31%) in the outreach group (aOR 95% CI, p < 0.01) and 90 of 212 (43%) in the navigation group (aOR CI, p = 0.02).ConclusionsAs compared to more traditional approaches, CHW-facilitated HPV self-sampling led to increased cervical cancer screening among ethnic minority women in South Florida.Trial registrationClinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT02121548.
Project description:BackgroundCervical cancer is preventable by early detection and treatment of pre-cancerous lesions. The current screening policy in Belgium (3-yearly cytology on Pap smears) covers 60% of the target population. Offering self-samples by GPs can overcome barriers for women who are currently not screened.MethodsWomen aged 25–64 who did not have a Pap smear since three years and consulted a GP practice in a Flemish municipality between November 2014 and April 2015 were allocated in a 1:1 ratio to either the intervention arm where women were given a vaginal self-sampling kit or control arm where women were encouraged to make an appointment for having a Pap smear taken by a clinician.ResultsEighty-eight consenting women were randomised. 35 (78%) out of 45 women in the self-sampling arm participated in screening compared to 22 (51%) out of 43 women in the control arm (p = 0.009). This difference remained significant after adjusting for covariates (age category, education level, time interval since last Pap smear, past Pap smear-taker).ConclusionGPs offering self-sampling kits resulted in a high participation. Larger trials should confirm this effect and evaluate feasibility of this approach.4.
Project description:PurposeHPV self-sampling has previously been shown to increase cervical cancer screening among ethnic minority and immigrant women. We conducted a randomized pragmatic trial to examine the effectiveness of HPV self-sampling delivered via in-person versus by US mail for medically underserved Hispanic, Haitian, and non-Hispanic Black women living in South Florida.MethodsWe randomized women aged 30-65 who had not completed Pap smear screening in the past 3 years into two groups: (1) HPV self-sampling delivered in-person (IP) by a community health worker (CHW; IP + SS) or (2) HPV self-sampling delivered via US mail (SS + Mail). Our primary outcome was HPV self-sampling completion by 6-month post-study enrollment.ResultsWe enrolled 600 women. Approximately 65% were Hispanic and 35% were Haitian or non-Hispanic Black. Nearly half (43%) had an income of less than $20,000/year and 67% were uninsured. In intent-to-treat analyses, 71.6% of participants in the SS + Mail group and 81.0% of participants in the IP + SS group completed HPV self-sampling.ConclusionMailed HPV self-sampling is an effective strategy to increase cervical cancer screening among underserved immigrant and ethnic minority women.