Self-collected cervicovaginal sampling for site-of-care primary HPV-based cervical cancer screening: a pilot study in a rural underserved Greek population

Abstract

In the present pilot study, the feasibility of a site-of-care cervicovaginal self-sampling methodology for HPV-based screening was tested in 346 women residing in underserved rural areas of Northern Greece. These women provided self-collected cervicovaginal sample along with a study questionnaire. Following molecular testing, using the cobas^® HPV Test, Roche^®, HPV positive women, were referred to colposcopy and upon abnormal findings, to biopsy and treatment. Participation rate was 100%. Regular pap-test examination was reported for 17.1%. Among hrHPV testing, 11.9% were positive and colposcopy/biopsy revealed 2 CIN3 cases. Non-compliance was the most prevalent reason for no previous attendance. Most women reported non-difficulty and non-discomfort in self-sampling (77.6% and 82.4%, respectively). They would choose self-sampling over clinician-sampling (86.2%), and should self-sampling being available, they would test themselves more regularly (92.3%). In conclusion, self-sampling is feasible and well-accepted for HPV-based screening, and could increase population coverage in underserved areas, helping towards successful prevention.

Keywords:

• Self-sampling
• human papillomavirus
• cervical cancer screening
• HPV DNA testing
• low resource setting

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the generous contribution of Drs Stamatia Angelidou, Histopathologist, Evangelia Katsiki, Histopathologist and Ioannis Amplianitis, Histopathologist concerning the histological evaluation of cervical biopsies.

The authors acknowledge the generous contribution of Nikoleta Teftsoglou, Midwife, Katerina Vladika, Midwife, and Irini Polichronidou, Midwife, concerning patient recruiting and sample collection.

The authors acknowledge the generous contribution of Anastasia Kitsou, Msc, and Artemis Sevdali, Nurse, concerning data capturing and logistics.

Disclosure statement

TA has performed research trials partially supported by Vianex/Sanofi Pasteur MSD and has received travel support to conferences/meetings/symposia occasionally granted by Vianex/Sanofi Pasteur MSD, GlaxoSmithKline or Roche Molecular Systems.

KC has received travel support to conferences/meetings/symposia occasionally granted by Vianex/Sanofi Pasteur MSD and Roche Molecular Systems.

All the other authors report no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The cobas HPV test kits and consumables for this study were provided by Roche Diagnostics (http://molecular.roche.com). There were no other funding sources or sources of support. All the necessary work for the study performed by physicians, midwives and technicians was incorporated in their routine daily practice. No additional costs needed to be covered.