Colposcopy non-attendance following an abnormal cervical cancer screening result: a prospective population-based cohort study
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Authors
Liang, Linda A.
Zeissig, Sylke R.
Schauberger, Gunther
Merzweiler, Sophie
Radde, Kathrin
Fischbeck, Sabine
Ikenberg, Hans
Blettner, Maria
Klug, Stefanie J.
Issue Date
2022-07-09
Type
Article
Language
en_US
Keywords
Colposcopy , Non-Attendance , Screening Follow-Up , Abnormal Screening Result , Cervical Cancer Screening , HPV Status , HPV Testing
Alternative Title
Abstract
Background:
A considerable proportion of cervical cancer diagnoses in high-income countries are due to lack of timely follow-up of an abnormal screening result. We estimated colposcopy non-attendance, examined the potential factors associated and described non-attendance reasons in a population-based screening study.
Methods:
Data from the MARZY prospective cohort study were analysed. Co-test screen-positive women (atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance or worse [ASC-US+] or high-risk human papillomavirus [hrHPV] positive) aged 30 to 65 years were referred to colposcopy within two screening rounds (3-year interval). Women were surveyed for sociodemographic, HPV-related and other data, and interviewed for non-attendance reasons. Logistic regression was used to examine potential associations with colposcopy attendance.
Results:
At baseline, 2,627 women were screened (screen-positive = 8.7%), and 2,093 again at follow-up (screen-positive = 5.1%; median 2.7 years later). All screen-positives were referred to colposcopy, however 28.9% did not attend despite active recall. Among co-test positives (ASC-US+ and hrHPV) and only hrHPV positives, 19.6% were non-attendees. Half of only ASC-US+ screenees attended colposcopy. Middle age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.55, 95% CI 1.02, 4.96) and hrHPV positive result (aOR = 3.04, 95% CI 1.49, 7.22) were associated with attendance. Non-attendance was associated with having ≥ 3 children (aOR = 0.32, 95% CI 0.10, 0.86). Major reasons for non-attendance were lack of time, barriers such as travel time, need for childcare arrangements and the advice against colposcopy given by the gynaecologist who conducted screening.
Conclusions:
Follow-up rates of abnormal screening results needs improvement. A systematic recall system integrating enhanced communication and addressing follow-up barriers may improve screening effectiveness.
Description
Citation
Liang, L. A., Zeissig, S. R., Schauberger, G., Merzweiler, S., Radde, K., Fischbeck, S., Ikenberg, H., Blettner, M., & Klug, S. J. (2022). Colposcopy non-attendance following an abnormal cervical cancer screening result: a prospective population-based cohort study. BMC women's health, 22(1), 285. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-022-01851-6
Publisher
BMC Women's Health