Study reveals 85% of women prefer choice between self-sampling and traditional cervical screening

A new study led by researchers at Queen Mary University of London reveals women would welcome the option to choose between self-sampling and traditional screening done by a nurse or doctor for human papillomavirus (HPV)-based cervical screening. 

The study, published in the Journal of Medical Screening, assessed a group of 2,300 women aged 24-65 who had collected their own samples alongside having their standard cervical screening in 38 GP practices across England. Participants were asked about their screening preference and their attitudes toward being offered a choice between the two methods. Researchers explored age, education, ethnicity, and screening experience as predictors of attitudes towards a choice and anticipated future choice.

Of the women surveyed, 85% preferred being given the choice, with 72% stating this choice would enhance their screening experience, and 69% said they would choose to self-sample at home if offered a choice in the future. However, a proportion of women expressed concern about making the choice between screening methods: 23% felt it would be difficult to choose, 15% would worry about making a choice, and 48% would prefer a recommendation. These concerns were reported more frequently by women with fewer qualifications, compared to women with degree-level education.

Researchers believe these findings highlight an urgent need to explore and evaluate different methods of offering this choice, ensuring that effective messaging is used during any implementation or assessment of HPV self-sampling options in the UK and beyond.

Senior author, Jo Waller, Professor of Cancer Behavioural Science, Centre for Cancer Screening, Prevention and Early Diagnosis at Queen Mary University of London’s Wolfson Institute for Population Health said: “This study confirms that choice would generally be welcomed when it comes to cervical screening. For many, self-sampling would be a more convenient and acceptable option, but others prefer the reassurance of knowing a nurse or doctor has done the test”. 

Dr Laura Marlow, Senior Research Fellow at Queen Mary University of London, and the study’s first author said: “It was striking that a significant number of our participants said they would like a recommendation. We need to keep this in mind when thinking about how best to make self-sampling available, to make sure that having to make a choice doesn’t become an additional worry or burden, and to avoid exacerbating social inequalities in screening uptake”.  

Public Health Minister, Andrew Gwynne said: “We know the earlier cancer is caught, the easier it is to treat, so it’s crucial that access to screening and tests is made as simple as possible.

"I welcome this research and the government is working closely with the UK National Screening Committee to explore the potential of self-sampling.” 

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer. However, data show that uptake of in-person screening offered through the NHS Cervical Screening Programme is at an all-time low in England. In 2023, data from NHS England showed that about one in three eligible women, aged between 25–64 are not up to date on their cervical cancer screening. This study comes as more flexible screening methods such as self-testing are being explored to increase participation and make the screening service more accessible for women. 

ENDS 

NOTES TO EDITORS 

Contact 

Faustine Akwa

Senior Media Relations Officer – External Relations Directorate

Queen Mary University of London

Email: f.akwa@qmul.ac.uk or press@qmul.ac.uk

Tel: 020 7882 3600

Paper details:   

L. Marlow, H. Drysdale, J. Waller. “Attitudes towards being offered a choice of self-sampling or clinician -sampling for cervical screening: A cross-sectional survey of women taking part in a clinical validation of HPV self-collection devices.” Published in the Journal of Medical Screening. 

DOI: 10.1177/09691413241283356
 

Under strict embargo until 00.01 (UK Time) 10 October 2024

A copy of the paper is available upon request. 

Conflicts of interest:  The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Funded by: Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).  

About Queen Mary University of London  

www.qmul.ac.uk     

At Queen Mary University of London, we believe that a diversity of ideas helps us achieve the previously unthinkable.  

Throughout our history, we’ve fostered social justice and improved lives through academic excellence. And we continue to live and breathe this spirit today, not because it’s simply ‘the right thing to do’ but for what it helps us achieve and the intellectual brilliance it delivers.    

Our reformer heritage informs our conviction that great ideas can and should come from anywhere. It’s an approach that has brought results across the globe, from the communities of east London to the favelas of Rio de Janeiro.    

We continue to embrace diversity of thought and opinion in everything we do, in the belief that when views collide, disciplines interact, and perspectives intersect, truly original thought takes form.   

About King’s College London

King’s College London is amongst the top 40 universities in the world and top 10 in Europe (THE World University Rankings 2024), and one of England’s oldest and most prestigious universities.  With an outstanding reputation for world-class teaching and cutting-edge research, King’s maintained its sixth position for ‘research power’ in the UK (2021 Research Excellence Framework).     

King's has more than 33,000 students (including more than 12,800 postgraduates) from some 150 countries worldwide, and 8,500 staff.   

For nearly 200 years, King’s students and staff have used their knowledge and insight to make a positive impact on people, society and the planet. Focused on delivering positive change at home in London, across the UK and around the world, King’s is building on its history of addressing the world’s most urgent challenges head on to accelerate progress, make discoveries and pioneer innovation. Visit the website to find out more about Vision 2029, which sets out bold ambitions for the future of King’s as we look towards our 200th anniversary.  

World-changing ideas. Life-changing impact: kcl.ac.uk/news