scholarly journals ‘It has saved thousands of lives, so why change it?’ Content analysis of objections to cervical screening programme changes in Australia

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. e019171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helena M Obermair ◽  
Rachael H Dodd ◽  
Carissa Bonner ◽  
Jesse Jansen ◽  
Kirsten McCaffery
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Women’S Health ◽  
Women's Health ◽  
Screening Programme ◽  
Cervical Screening ◽  
Pap Smears ◽  
Hpv Testing ◽  
Incidence And Mortality ◽  
Screening Intervals

ObjectivesThe incidence and mortality of cervical cancer have halved since introduction of the Australian cervical screening programme in 1991, involving 2-yearly Pap smears from ages 18–69 years. In 2017, the programme changed to 5- yearly primary human papillomavirus (HPV) testing for women aged 25–74 years. This study investigated reasons for opposition to the renewed screening programme within the open-ended comments of an online petition, ‘Stop May 1st Changes to Pap Smears—Save Women’s Lives’, opposing the changes, which received over 70 000 signatures and almost 20 000 comments.MethodsContent analysis of a random sample of 2000 comments, reflecting 10% of the 19 633 comments posted in February–March 2017.ResultsNineteen codes were identified, reflecting four themes: (1) valuing women’s health and rights, (2) political statements, (3) concerns about healthcare funding cuts and (4) opposition to specific components of the new screening programme. The most prevalent codes were: placing value on women’s health (33%), concerns about increasing screening intervals (17%) and opposition to the changes related to personal experiences with cervical cancer or cervical abnormalities (15%). Concern about the key change in technology (HPV testing instead of Pap smears) was expressed in less than 3% of comments, and some opposition to the changes from health professionals was noted.ConclusionsScreening changes within this selected group were perceived as threatening women’s health, as a political policy created by male decision-makers and as a cost-cutting exercise. Many commenters were concerned about increased screening intervals and later screening onset, but little opposition was expressed regarding the testing technology itself. This analysis may inform public education and communication strategies for future changes to cervical screening programmes internationally, to pre-emptively address specific concerns about the changes.

“A Pap smear saved my life”: Personal experiences of cervical abnormalities shape attitudes to cervical screening renewal

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 223-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helena M Obermair ◽  
Kirsten J McCaffery ◽  
Rachael H Dodd
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Pap Smear ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Cervical Screening ◽  
Personal History ◽  
Pap Smears ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Women's Lives ◽  
History Of ◽  
Screening Intervals

Objective In 2017, the Australian National Cervical Screening Program changed from two-yearly Pap smears between ages 18 and 69, to five-yearly human papillomavirus screening between ages 25 and 74 (the “Renewal”). This study investigated attitudes towards the changes, among individuals previously affected by cervical abnormalities/cervical cancer, personally or through a friend/relative. Methods We conducted a thematic analysis of comments expressing personal history or a family/friend history of cervical abnormalities/cervical cancer as a reason for opposing changes to the cervical screening program. The comments were taken from a 20% random sample of 19,633 comments posted on the “Change.org” petition “Stop May 1st Changes to Pap Smears – Save Women's Lives” in February–March 2017. Results There were 831 (20.8%) commenters who reported that they were concerned about a change in screening due to: feelings of increased personal vulnerability to cervical cancer due to their own personal history of cervical abnormalities; comparison of extended screening intervals and later age of first screening to their own experiences; and a perception of increased personal risk due to family history. Conclusion Women previously affected by cervical abnormalities or cervical cancer, personally or through a friend/relative, expressed concern about changes to cervical screening due to perceived increased risk and feeling vulnerable due to personal history.

scholarly journals Enhanced Detection of Cervical Cancer and Precancer Through Use of Imaged Liquid-Based Cytology in Routine Cytology and HPV Cotesting

2018 ◽  
Vol 150 (5) ◽  
pp. 385-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Marshall Austin ◽  
Agnieszka Onisko ◽  
Chengquan Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Pap Smear ◽  
Cervical Screening ◽  
Intraepithelial Neoplasia ◽  
Pap Smears ◽  
Adenocarcinoma In Situ ◽  
Hpv Testing ◽  
Liquid Based Cytology ◽  
Positive Results

AbstractObjectivesCervical screening strives to prevent cervical cancer (CxCa), minimizing morbidity and mortality. Most large US reports on cytology and human papillomavirus (HPV) cotesting of women aged 30 years and older are from one laboratory, which used conventional Papanicolaou (Pap) smears from 2003 to 2009.MethodsWe quantified detection of CxCa and precancer (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3/adenocarcinoma in situ [CIN3/AIS]) in 300,800 cotests at Magee Womens Hospital since 2005. Screening histories preceding CxCa and CIN3/AIS diagnoses were examined to assess the contribution of cytology and HPV testing. Cotesting utilized Food and Drug Administration-approved imaged liquid-based cytology (LBC) and from-the-vial HPV tests.ResultsLBC identified more women subsequently diagnosed with CxCa and CIN3/AIS than HPV testing. HPV-negative/cytology-positive results preceded 13.1% of CxCa and 7.2% of CIN3/AIS diagnoses.ConclusionsLBC enhanced cotesting detection of CxCa and CIN3/AIS to a greater extent than previously reported with conventional Pap smear and HPV cotesting.

scholarly journals Gender of internal medicine resident impacts cancer preventive care for women

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shyanne Hefley ◽  
Tetyana L Vasylyeva ◽  
Maria Salguero ◽  
Saif Al-Humaish ◽  
Karen Cutts ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Internal Medicine ◽  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Women’S Health ◽  
Women's Health ◽  
Pap Smear ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Cervical Screening ◽  
Internal Medicine Resident ◽  
Gender Disparity ◽  
Female Patients

Mammography and cervical screening are effective methods for early cancer detection in women. Recent reports showed that 69% of women ³45 years had a mammogram in the past 2 years and 16-55% of women had a Pap smear regularly. Internal medicine (IM) physicians are crucial players in women's health management and literature has identified that a physician’s gender impacts patient management in many areas of healthcare.  We investigated mammogram and Pap smear recommendations by IM residents and examined differences in approaching women’s health issues between female and male residents. With IRB approval, one-hundred charts of new female patients were reviewed, which included female patients 45 years or older seen by IM residents for their first visit. All patients completed a questionnaire concerning previous medical conditions and care as part of clinic routine. Patient chart information, recommendations for mammogram and cervical cancer screening by the resident were recorded, along with the gender of the resident and supervising attending.  The mean age of the patients was 61±9.3 years. Female residents were more likely to recommend a mammogram compared to male residents (36.7% and 16.4%, respectively).  No significant differences in Pap smear recommendations were observed between female and male residents (9.3% and 10.1%, respectively). Attending physician’s gender did not influence screening recommendations.  The recommendation rate for female patients to obtain important screening mammograms and Pap smears was low. These results are consistent with previous literature and indicate an urgent need for improved women’s health education in residency, with special attention to male residents.   Keywords: Cancer prevention, Breast cancer, Cervical Cancer, Primary Care, Gender Disparity

scholarly journals “They Should Be Asking Us”: A Qualitative Decisional Needs Assessment for Women Considering Cervical Cancer Screening

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 233339361878363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brianne Wood ◽  
Virginia L. Russell ◽  
Ziad El-Khatib ◽  
Susan McFaul ◽  
Monica Taljaard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Shared Decision Making ◽  
Cervical Cancer Screening ◽  
Cervical Screening ◽  
Hpv Testing ◽  
Shared Decision ◽  
Care Providers

In this study, we examine from multiple perspectives, women’s shared decision-making needs when considering cervical screening options: Pap testing, in-clinic human papillomavirus (HPV) testing, self-collected HPV testing, or no screening. The Ottawa Decision Support Framework guided the development of the interview schedule. We conducted semi-structured interviews with seven screen-eligible women and five health care professionals (three health care providers and two health system managers). Women did not perceive that cervical screening involves a “decision,” which limited their knowledge of options, risks, and benefits. Women and health professionals emphasized how a trusted primary care provider can support women making a choice among cervical screening modalities. Having all cervical screening options recommended and funded was perceived as an important step to facilitate shared decision making. Supporting women in making preference-based decisions in cervical cancer screening may increase screening among those who do not undergo screening regularly and decrease uptake in women who are over-screened.

scholarly journals Impact of human papillomavirus (HPV) self-collection on subsequent cervical cancer screening completion among under-screened US women: MyBodyMyTest-3 protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Trials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa P. Spees ◽  
Andrea C. Des Marais ◽  
Stephanie B. Wheeler ◽  
Michael G. Hudgens ◽  
Sarah Doughty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Human Papillomavirus ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Cervical Cancer Screening ◽  
Cancer Incidence ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Pap Test ◽  
Hpv Testing ◽  
Cervical Cancer Incidence ◽  
Incidence And Mortality

Abstract Background Screening substantially reduces cervical cancer incidence and mortality. More than half of invasive cervical cancers are attributable to infrequent screening or not screening at all. The current study, My Body My Test (MBMT), evaluates the impact of mailed kits for self-collection of samples for human papillomavirus (HPV) testing on completion of cervical cancer screening in low-income, North Carolina women overdue for cervical cancer screening. Methods/design The study will enroll at least 510 US women aged 25–64 years who report no Pap test in the last 4 years and no HPV test in the last 6 years. We will randomize participants to an intervention or control arm. The intervention arm will receive kits to self-collect a sample at home and mail it for HPV testing. In both the intervention and control arms, participants will receive assistance in scheduling an appointment for screening in clinic. Study staff will deliver HPV self-collection results by phone and assist in scheduling participants for screening in clinic. The primary outcome is completion of cervical cancer screening. Specifically, completion of screening will be defined as screening in clinic or receipt of negative HPV self-collection results. Women with HPV-negative self-collection results will be considered screening-complete. All other participants will be considered screening-complete if they obtain co-testing or Pap test screening at a study-affiliated institution or other clinic. We will assess whether the self-collection intervention influences participants’ perceived risk of cervical cancer and whether perceived risk mediates the relationship between HPV self-collection results and subsequent screening in clinic. We also will estimate the incremental cost per woman screened of offering at-home HPV self-collection kits with scheduling assistance as compared to offering scheduling assistance alone. Discussion If mailed self-collection of samples for HPV testing is an effective strategy for increasing cervical cancer screening among women overdue for screening, this method has the potential to reduce cervical cancer incidence and mortality in medically underserved women at higher risk of developing cervical cancer. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02651883, Registered on 11 January 2016.

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