Cervical cancer screening for the reluctant - HPV testing of air-dried vaginal discharge
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Authors
Tong, Tommy R.
Yau, Rae Wai-nang
Chan, Olivia Wai-hing
Yu, Vivian
Lo, Joyce Wing-sze
Chow, Tat-chong
Chan, Billy Wai-hon
Lee, Kam-cheong
Issue Date
2006-12
Type
Article
Language
en_US
Keywords
Human Papillomavirus , HPV , Cervical Cancer , Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia , Air-Dry , Vaginal Discharge , Self-Collect
Alternative Title
Abstract
Despite the availability of the PAP test, cervical cancer continues to cause considerable morbidity and mortality. Many women default cervical cytology for a variety of reasons. This demands the development of alternative screening strategies, such as HPV testing on self-procured cervical-vaginal specimens in order to capture this group of women. We investigated the self-procured air-dried vaginal discharge for HPV testing. We recruited 82 patients with HPV-associated cervical lesions and 36 patients with normal cervical pathology. Participants were briefed and informed consents obtained. Each was then given a kit containing written instructions, a slim napkin, an empty zip-lock plastic bag for soiled napkin specimen, and a return envelope. After wearing the napkin for the day, the patient removes it, dries it, and returns the specimen by mail. Specimens were batched and a 0.5 cm area of each stained napkin was tested for HPV by PCR. Specimens from all 26 patients with high-grade (CIN 2 or above) HPV-induced cervical lesions and 4 of 36 normal subjects tested positive for HPV, giving a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 88.9%, respectively. We propose offering to women who refuse cervical cytology the alternative screening strategy of testing of self-procured air-dried vaginal discharge for HPV. This method of cervical cancer screening is also suitable for people living in remote regions of the world.
Description
Citation
Tong, T. R., Yau, R. W., Chan, O. W., Yu, V., Lo, J. W., Chow, T. C., Chan, B. W., & Lee, K. C. (2006). Cervical Cancer Screening for the Reluctant - HPV Testing of Air-Dried Vaginal Discharge. International journal of biomedical science : IJBS, 2(4), 422–427.
Publisher
International Journal of Biomedical Science : IJBS