Naomi Brewer1, Sunia Foliaki2, Collette Bromhead3, Ioana Viliamu-Amusia4, Litia Pelefoti-Gibson5, Tegan Jones6, Neil Pearce7, John D Potter8, Jeroen Douwes9. 1. Research Officer, Centre for Public Health Research, Massey University, Wellington. 2. Pacific Health Research Fellow, Centre for Public Health Research, Massey University, Wellington. 3. Senior Lecturer in Molecular Microbiology, School of Health Sciences, Massey University, Wellington. 4. Clinical Director, Porirua Union and Community Health Service, Porirua. 5. Registered Nurse, Porirua Union and Community Health Service, Porirua. 6. Registered Nurse, De Lautour Medical, Gisborne (previously at Porirua Union and Community Health Service, Porirua). 7. Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Medical Statistics and Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England. 8. Professor, Centre for Public Health Research, Massey University, Wellington. 9. Professor and Director, Centre for Public Health Research, Massey University, Wellington.
Abstract
AIM: To assess whether self-sampling for cervical-cancer screening is acceptable to New Zealand women. METHODS: Māori, Pacific and Asian un- or under-screened women aged 30-69 years were asked to: 1) examine three self-sampling devices; 2) complete a questionnaire on demographics and experiences with the devices; and 3) take a self-sample. Samples were tested 'off-label' using the cobas® 4800 human papillomavirus (HPV) test (Roche Diagnostics NZ). RESULTS: Thirty-one Pacific, 12 Māori, nine Asian and four women of other ethnicities participated (mean age, 39.5 years). Before trying any devices, 78% indicated a preference to self-sample, compared to 22% who preferred a physician-collected sample (PCS). After trying a device (HerSwab™, 91%; Delphi Screener™, 14%; cobas Swab, 13%; 12.5% used >1 device), fewer women (66%) preferred to self-sample next time, fewer (16%) preferred a PCS, while 18% expressed no preference. One of 32 samples with valid results (35 were tested) was positive for HPV 'other' oncogenic types. CONCLUSIONS: This was the first New Zealand study to invite women, including Māori women, to take a self-sample for cervical-cancer screening. The pilot study suggests that un- and under-screened women generally find self-sampling acceptable and all sample types are suitable for use with the cobas HPV test.
AIM: To assess whether self-sampling for cervical-cancer screening is acceptable to New Zealand women. METHODS: Māori, Pacific and Asian un- or under-screened women aged 30-69 years were asked to: 1) examine three self-sampling devices; 2) complete a questionnaire on demographics and experiences with the devices; and 3) take a self-sample. Samples were tested 'off-label' using the cobas® 4800 human papillomavirus (HPV) test (Roche Diagnostics NZ). RESULTS: Thirty-one Pacific, 12 Māori, nine Asian and four women of other ethnicities participated (mean age, 39.5 years). Before trying any devices, 78% indicated a preference to self-sample, compared to 22% who preferred a physician-collected sample (PCS). After trying a device (HerSwab™, 91%; Delphi Screener™, 14%; cobas Swab, 13%; 12.5% used >1 device), fewer women (66%) preferred to self-sample next time, fewer (16%) preferred a PCS, while 18% expressed no preference. One of 32 samples with valid results (35 were tested) was positive for HPV 'other' oncogenic types. CONCLUSIONS: This was the first New Zealand study to invite women, including Māori women, to take a self-sample for cervical-cancer screening. The pilot study suggests that un- and under-screened women generally find self-sampling acceptable and all sample types are suitable for use with the cobas HPV test.