Mail-in self-collection tests for human papillomavirus (HPV) have shown promising results in increasing cervical cancer screening participation among never- and under-screened women in the United States. A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has revealed that these self-collection tests more than doubled the participation rates in cervical cancer screening.
The study, known as PRESTIS, was published in JAMA Internal Medicine and involved over 2,500 women aged 30–65 from the Houston area. The majority of participants were from ethnic/racial minoritized populations, and more than half were covered by a publicly funded financial assistance program. The participants were divided into three groups: one receiving a telephone reminder for clinic-based screening, another receiving a telephone reminder along with a mailed self-collection test, and a third group receiving a telephone reminder, self-collection test, and patient navigation support.
The results of the study showed that 41% of women who received the self-collection test and a telephone reminder participated in cervical cancer screening, compared to only 17% of those who received just a telephone reminder. Additionally, adding patient navigation support further increased participation rates to 47%. These findings highlight the potential of self-collection testing as a means to improve access to screening and reduce the burden of cervical cancer, especially among underserved populations.
The study also found that over 80% of women in the self-collection groups returned their kits, indicating a preference for this approach within the patient population. The lead author of the study, Jane Montealegre, emphasized the importance of making self-collection tests available in clinics and health centers that serve marginalized communities to ensure equitable access to screening.
Moving forward, researchers plan to explore how self-collection HPV tests can be integrated into different primary care settings. Despite the promising results, the study did have some limitations, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, unclear reasons for participation refusal, and barriers related to mailing test kits to people’s homes. Additionally, the study did not assess differences in follow-up appointments for patients who tested positive for HPV.
In conclusion, the use of mail-in self-collection tests for HPV has shown great potential in increasing cervical cancer screening rates among underserved women. By addressing barriers to screening and improving access to testing, researchers hope to make significant progress in combating this preventable disease. Further research and implementation strategies are needed to ensure the widespread adoption of self-collection testing in clinical practice.
