Hong Kong Department of Health Reminds Public of Inadequate Evidence for Menstrual Blood Self-Sampling for HPV Testing

Strategic Insights -

The Department of Health (DH) in Hong Kong has issued a reminder that there is currently insufficient scientific evidence to confirm the reliability of using menstrual blood for cervical screening for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) testing. This warning comes after businesses claimed that menstrual blood can be collected using sanitary pads, then self-sampled and mailed to laboratory for HPV testing.

Despite the lack of evidence, the DH has been promoting cervical cancer prevention through various channels, including the Cervical Screening Programme launched in 2004 and the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme providing free HPV vaccinations to eligible Primary Five schoolgirls. The DH has also adopted HPV testing using cervical cells as the primary approach for women aged 30 to 64 since April 2023.

Key Takeaways:

  • There is currently insufficient scientific evidence to confirm the reliability of using menstrual blood for cervical screening for HPV testing.
  • The Hong Kong Department of Health (DH) has launched the Cervical Screening Programme in 2004 to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer.
  • The DH has provided free HPV vaccinations to eligible Primary Five schoolgirls under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme since the 2019/20 school year.
  • HPV testing using cervical cells has been adopted as the primary approach for women aged 30 to 64 since April 2023.
  • Women aged 25 to 29 may continue to undergo cervical screening by cervical cytology (cervical smear or Pap smear) due to their higher prevalence of transient HPV infection.
  • The World Health Organization recommends vaginal self-sampling for HPV testing as a reliable method for cervical screening.
  • A Pilot Scheme on HPV Testing of Self-collected Samples was launched in June 2024 at 11 Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) that provide family planning services.
  • The DH stressed that screening results should only be used as a reference and cannot substitute professional diagnosis by medical practitioners.

Statistics:

  • In 2022, there were 522 new cases of cervical cancer and 167 deaths in Hong Kong, making it the ninth most common female cancer.
  • The DH has provided free HPV vaccinations to over 100,000 Primary Five schoolgirls since the 2019/20 school year.
  • The Cervical Screening Programme has been in operation since 2004, aiming to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer through mass screening and health education.
  • HPV testing using cervical cells has been adopted for women aged 30 to 64 since April 2023, with the goal of increasing the coverage and awareness of cervical cancer prevention.

Sources:

  • "Hong Kong Department of Health reminds public of inadequate evidence for menstrual blood self-sampling for HPV testing" (October 26)
  • "Cervical Cancer in Hong Kong: Statistics and Prevention" (2022)
  • "Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme" (2019/20 school year)
  • "Cervical Screening Programme" (2004)
  • "World Health Organization recommends vaginal self-sampling for HPV testing" (no date)
  • "Pilot Scheme on HPV Testing of Self-collected Samples" (June 2024)
  • "Medical Registration Ordinance (Cap. 161)"
  • "Allied Health Professions Ordinance (Cap. 359)"