PRP046: Human Papilloma Virus self-sampling option to increase cervical cancer screening rates

Christina Scartozzi, DO; Jennifer Moss, PhD; Kelsey Stoltzfus, MPH; Brittney Calatayud, BS

Abstract

Context: The American Cancer Society estimates 4,290 women in the United States will die from cervical cancer in 2021. Screening and appropriate follow-up can prevent deaths. Rates of screening are suboptimal and vulnerable subgroups (including women in rural areas, racial/ethnic minorities, women with low socioeconomic status, and women who are underinsured) are even less likely to be screened. Home self-sampling for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) testing may be a viable screening option among women who do not obtain regular screening in the clinical setting. This study uses real-world procedures that could pragmatically be adopted in primary care clinics, i.e., evaluating a reminder letter with a post card option to request an HPV self-sampling kit. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of offering self-sampling for high-risk HPV testing to increase cervical cancer screening rates. Study Design: Pragmatic feasibility study Setting or Dataset: Primary care clinic in an underserved, mainly Latinx community Population studied: Inclusion criteria: Female patients age 30-65 out-of-date for cervical cancer screening and are not at greater than average risk for cervical cancer. Exclusion criteria: Being pregnant, incarcerated, having a greater than average risk for cervical cancer. Using a 2:1 randomization scheme, we will randomize 807 participants to the control arm and 404 participants to the intervention arm. Intervention/Instrument (for interventional studies): Women in the control arm will receive a letter notifying them that they need to be screened and they should contact their primary care provider, according to standard clinical procedures. Women in the experimental arm will receive a slightly modified version of this letter informing them of a self-sampling option and a pre-addressed post card to return if interested in self-sampling. Outcome Measures: Proportion of participants who obtain cervical cancer screening (in clinic or with self-collected samples for HPV testing) by arm within three months of the initial mailing. We will use chi-squared tests to compare these proportions, using an alpha of .05 and a beta of 0.80. Results: We assume a 15% response rate from the control group and a 30% response rate for the intervention group for a final n=122 for each group. Conclusions: The proportion of participants who obtain cervical cancer screening by arm will be reported.
Leave a Comment
Diane Harper
harperdi@med.umich.edu 11/21/2021

Congratulations Jennifer! We must continue to spread the word that home based colorectal and cervical cancer are the best possible ways to screen the average risked person for respective cancers! I look forward to the future work you will be doing! Thank you for sharing with us at NAPCRG.

Jack Westfall
jwestfall@aafp.org 11/22/2021

This is a very important topic and research study. Nice work. I am surprised by the results and wonder if you have ideas about why the mailed tests were not completed more often? any plans to consider ways to maximize uptake? Thanks for sharing at NAPCRG

Mack Ruffin
11/23/2021

Good to see the poster. I hope we can boost the accrual rate.

Social Media

Address

NAPCRG
11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway
Leawood, KS 66211
800.274.7928
Email: napcrgoffice@napcrg.org