Cervical Cancer Screening Methods

This study evaluates the diagnostic accuracy and feasibility of a same-day cervical cancer screening strategy using HPV self-sampling followed by digital telecytology triage among HPV-positive women in Cameroon. Women aged 30-49 years (or 25-49 years if HIV-positive) will undergo primary HPV testing using the GeneXpert system. HPV-positive women will be managed according to an extended HPV genotyping-based algorithm, including immediate treatment, telecytology triage, or follow-up. Histological assessment serves as the reference standard for the detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN2+). Secondary objectives include evaluation of AI-assisted telecytology and visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA), as well as the acceptability of screening and treatment strategies among women and healthcare providers. The study aims to generate evidence to support scalable, WHO-recommended test-triage-treat approaches in low-resource settings

The Pap test plays a crucial role in the early detection of cervical cancer. A pilot single-center randomized controlled trial applied the peak-end concept and added a non-painful step at the end of Pap smear screening, aimed to reduce recalled pain. However, there is still no multicenter study investigating the effect of the modified Pap test on cervical cancer screening participation. The present project is the first multicenter randomized controlled trial to expand the current scope of the peak-end theory into Pap tests and cervical cancer screening participation by adding a non-painful step at the end of Pap smear screening. Our multidisciplinary team (NTUH Pap Study Group) aims to provide innovative, feasible, and low-cost strategies for cervical cancer screening participation.

Project CONTINUITY (Connecting You to Care in the Community) was developed to increase adherence to cervical cancer screening regimens from initial screening to needed follow-up care by (1) providing personalized approaches to improve adherence through the combined use of patient choice for the initial screening method (Pap/HPV co-testing vs. HPV self-test collection), community clinical navigators and community health workers (CHWs), customized messages and support for patient portal access for test results and (2) implementing strategies to address social determinants of health (SDoH) that may influence an individual's ability to adhere to the screening regimen, with an initial focus on removing transportation barriers through the use of a mobile outreach clinics (MOC).