Athena Tsertanidou (Greece)
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki 3rd Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyPresenter of 1 Presentation
PRIMARY CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING USING SELF-SAMPLING FOR HPV DNA TESTING: EVIDENCE OF ACCEPTANCE FROM A NATIONWIDE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN GREECE (ID 194)
Abstract
Introduction
The aim of this analysis is to assess the acceptance of cervicovaginal self-sampling for HPV-DNA testing amongst Greek women, residing in rural areas, within the framework of the GRECOSELF study.
Methods
Women recruited within GRECOSELF, a nationwide cross-sectional study on HPV-DNA testing combined with self-sampling, were between 25-60 years old and resided in rural areas of Greece. Women were recruited by midwifes, collected a cervicovaginal sample using a dry cotton swab, and filled out a questionnaire. Questions regarding self-sampling acceptance were as follows: 1)“Did you understand the instructions given?”, 2)“Did you experience difficulties during self-sampling?”, 3)“Did you feel uncomfortable?” 4)“Did you feel pain?”, 5)“Are you certain that you followed the instructions correctly?” 6)“Where would you prefer to perform self-sampling?”, 7)“Have you ever felt uncomfortable during physician-sampling?” 8)“If physician and self-sampling were equally effective which one would you prefer?”, 9)“If physician and self-sampling were equally effective, would you check yourself more often?”
Results
Between May 2016 and June 2018, the study recruited 13,111 participants. Of these 8,401 (64.1%) reported that they would prefer self-sampling to physician-sampling. No or little pain or discomfort during self-sampling was experienced by the majority of the women [n=12,627, (96.3%), and n=12,403 (94.6%) respectively]. Also, most of the women (92.5%) stated that self-sampling instructions were very clear or clear and 89.1% reported having very few or a few difficulties during self-sampling. Moreover, 61.8% reported that they would prefer to self-sample at home instead of a primary care facility. Pain and discomfort during the procedure, although rare, were significant factors against acceptance. Most of the women reporting a negative impression, had a negative experience in their history.
Conclusions
Self-sampling is the preferred sampling method for cervical cancer screening, compared to physician-sampling, amongst Greek women residing in rural areas. It is easy to perform and causes minimal discomfort.