Status
Ongoing
Under the coordination of the University of Antwerp, and in collaboration with Sciensano and the Centrum voor Kankeropsporing (CvKO) (Flemish Centre for Cancer Screening) as partners, the Belgian Cancer Registry (BCR) is investigating the potential and clinical outcomes of different strategies for offering self-testing for human papillomavirus (HPV) for cervical cancer screening in Flanders.
Currently, about a third of the target population does not use the screening services in Flanders. In addition, the World Health Organisation recommends HPV detection as the first screening test rather than the current smear test.
Self-collecting urine, rather than taking a vaginal swab, could increase willingness to participate in screening. The aim of the ScreenUrSelf study is to investigate and economically evaluate different self-sampling strategies compared to the current strategy of the Vlaams Bevolkingsonderzoek Baarmoederhalskanker (Flemish Cervical Cancer Screening Programme). The study investigates the effect of two types of self-collection (urine sample versus vaginal swab) and two invitation strategies (everything sent to the potential participant’s home versus an invitation allowing them to request a free self-collection kit).
The research design consists of a Randomised Clinical Trial (RCT) with six study arms. Participants are divided into intervention groups (1–4) and control groups (5–6). One of the two self-testing strategies is applied in each intervention group, along with one of the two invitation strategies, representing four possible combinations being researched. The control groups either receive an invitation from the CvKO to participate in the standard population screening, or they receive no screening offer at all.
CvKO and BCR data help with the targeted recruitment of GP practices and their patients. The data from CvKO and BCR are linked to data on participation in screening (self-testing or otherwise) and its clinical outcomes.
The results of the ScreenUrSelf study will be published in scientific journals and reported to the Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek – Vlaanderen (Flanders Research Foundation) as the project’s sponsor. This project will provide important information for the future organisation of the Vlaams Bevolkingsonderzoek Baarmoederhalskanker (Flemish Cervical Cancer Screening Programme). For this reason, feedback will also be given to the Flemish Government and the target group.
Currently, about a third of the target population does not use the screening services in Flanders. In addition, the World Health Organisation recommends HPV detection as the first screening test rather than the current smear test.
Self-collecting urine, rather than taking a vaginal swab, could increase willingness to participate in screening. The aim of the ScreenUrSelf study is to investigate and economically evaluate different self-sampling strategies compared to the current strategy of the Vlaams Bevolkingsonderzoek Baarmoederhalskanker (Flemish Cervical Cancer Screening Programme). The study investigates the effect of two types of self-collection (urine sample versus vaginal swab) and two invitation strategies (everything sent to the potential participant’s home versus an invitation allowing them to request a free self-collection kit).
The research design consists of a Randomised Clinical Trial (RCT) with six study arms. Participants are divided into intervention groups (1–4) and control groups (5–6). One of the two self-testing strategies is applied in each intervention group, along with one of the two invitation strategies, representing four possible combinations being researched. The control groups either receive an invitation from the CvKO to participate in the standard population screening, or they receive no screening offer at all.
CvKO and BCR data help with the targeted recruitment of GP practices and their patients. The data from CvKO and BCR are linked to data on participation in screening (self-testing or otherwise) and its clinical outcomes.
The results of the ScreenUrSelf study will be published in scientific journals and reported to the Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek – Vlaanderen (Flanders Research Foundation) as the project’s sponsor. This project will provide important information for the future organisation of the Vlaams Bevolkingsonderzoek Baarmoederhalskanker (Flemish Cervical Cancer Screening Programme). For this reason, feedback will also be given to the Flemish Government and the target group.
Cancer screening