Research finds self -sampling just as effective

Genital human papillomavirus is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States and is supposed to be responsible for more than 99% of cervical cancers. HPV screening usually involves a speculum-based exam, which is an uncomfortable experience for most patients, especially those who have physical disabilities.

In two studies, published in Preventive Medicine Farms And Jama Network OpenResearchers from the University of Michigan are the first to demonstrate in the US that self-sampling is just as effective as on speculum-based tests for HPV detection.

Most people who have HPV usually don’t know they have it.

At the age of 50, at least 4 out of 5 women at some point in their lives will be infected with the virus.

These infections usually disappear within 2 years, due to the defense of the body. For some women, however, the infection lingers and brings the risk of cervical cancer.

Certainly cervical cancer screens and HPV tests are currently recommended for women every 3 to 5 years from 25 years.

“Co testing for HPV and cervical cancer is not useful in any way. You can prevent the same from cervical cancer and his precursors by only testing on HPV,” said Diane Harper, MD, a professor in obstetrics and gynecology, Family Medicine And Women’s and gender studies and senior author of both studies.

Moreover, the entire process can be physically and emotionally burdensome.

“Half of the women in the US who have cervical cancer have not undergone a screening test in the last ten years. We have to try to make it a more comfortable experience,” Harper said.

Various countries, including Sweden, Australia and the Netherlands, who have accepted screening for HPV, have also reduced their incidence for cervical cancer.

“We wanted to concentrate on the American population and compare self-sampling with speculum-based HPV tests,” Harper said.

Vaginal cotton swabs are useful for primary care HPV screening

The researchers used a cohort of 193 people, between 25 and 65, who either underwent routine screening or risk on cervical cancer.

The participants in the study were instructed to use vaginal cotton buds, which were then collected and sent to the laboratory. They also underwent speculum exams.

All samples were tested for 15 types of HPV types with a high risk.

“We have discovered that the use of cotton buds is equivalent to speculum -based collection,” said Harper.

The team also discovered that their results were in accordance with global data on HPV prevalence, which enhances the usefulness of vaginal cotton buds.

Self -sampling improves screening experiences for people with physical disabilities

“Women with physical disabilities have a lower percentages screening on cervical cancer because of various barriers, including inaccessible care institutions, care providers who misunderstand their risk of cervical cancer and difficulty with positioning for a speculum examination,” said Susan Ernst, a clinical, a clinical one Clinically a clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology and an author of one of the studies.

With the help of a cohort of 56 women who had physical disabilities, the researchers tested whether they also preferred vaginal cotton buds above speculums.

“I was already aware that speculum -based exams can sometimes be unpleasant. Some of the experiences that the participants shared with us were really horrible”.

The women described on Office Speculum based on impressions such as “cold”, “traumatizing” and “invasive”. However, when he was asked about self -sampling at home, the women described the experience as ‘simple’, ‘comfortable’ and ‘feasible’.

“The cotton buds cannot replace a conversation with your doctor. However, it is possible that the vast majority of women get unnecessary speculum tests,” Harper said.

The researchers work together with UM Health to create the primary method for screening for cervical cancer in their clinics.

The researchers hope that the results of both studies will inform education and promotion efforts to all people.

“This is a good example of how several disciplines work together at Michigan Medicine,” said Harper.

“Our next goal is to find a cure for HPV.”