HPV self-tests raise cervical cancer screening, study says

A new study from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center found that more women will screen for human papillomavirus (HPV) if they can self-test at home.

According to a release, screening rates “more than doubled” among women who are under-screened or had never been screened. More than 2,000 diverse women participated in the study. All were reminded to screen by phone. Some received the self-collection kit while others received a reminder to make an appointment with their clinicians. Results showed that “over 80% of the women in the self-collection groups returned their kits.”

Additionally, “41% of those who received self-collection tests and a telephone reminder participated in cervical cancer screening, compared to just 17% of those who received only a telephone reminder.” When given additional support, participation jumped to 47%.

The study, called PRESTIS, was published in JAMA Internal Medicine.