Women Unlikely to Do DIY Cervical Cancer Tests Unless Told by GP

Strategic Insights -

A recent study conducted by researchers from Queen Mary University of London and King's College London suggests that women are unlikely to perform DIY cervical cancer tests unless they are explicitly told to by a GP. The study analyzed the most effective ways to approach women about performing self-sample tests, particularly those who have rarely or never attended their cervical screening.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that women were most likely to accept and return a self-sample test when it was offered to them "opportunistically" while visiting a GP for another reason, with 74% of women accepting the offer and 52% returning a sample within six months.
  • Women who were sent a self-sample kit in the post or sent a letter inviting them to order a kit had lower rates of acceptance and return, with 12% and 5% respectively returning a sample within six months.
  • The researchers suggested that text or phone reminders could be valuable in encouraging women to return their sample, particularly those who had tested positive for HPV.
  • Professor Peter Sasieni, a senior researcher from Queen Mary University of London, stated that a combination of approaches may be best for enabling more women to participate in cervical screening.
  • The study's findings have implications for the NHS's cervical screening program, which offers tests to all women aged 25-64 every three years. However, five million women are not up to date with routine check-ups, with many citing a lack of time, discomfort, or embarrassment.

Statistics:

  • 449 women were opportunistically offered a self-sample kit, with 333 (74%) accepting the offer and 234 (52%) returning a sample within six months.
  • 1,616 women were sent a self-sample kit in the post, with 198 (12%) returning a sample within six months.
  • 1,587 women were sent a letter inviting them to order a kit, with 76 (5%) returning a self-sample within six months.
  • Over a quarter of women whose self-sample was HPV positive did not follow through with a clinician sample.

Sources:

  • A study conducted by researchers from Queen Mary University of London and King's College London, published in the journal eClinicalMedicine.
  • Data published by the NHS last November, showing that five million women are not up to date with routine cervical screening checks.
  • The NHS's cervical screening program, which offers tests to all women aged 25-64 every three years.