Increasing Cervical Cancer Screening Among Underscreened Women Aged 50 to 74 in Switzerland Using HPV Self-Sampling and Awareness Letters through Breast Cancer Screening Programs

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating ways to increase cervical cancer screening participation among women aged 50 to 74 in Switzerland who have not been screened in the past three years. This randomized trial compares two approaches one group receives an awareness letter about cervical cancer screening, and another group receives a free vaginal self-sampling kit for human papillomavirus HPV infection. The study also observes a control group recruited later to avoid influencing screening behavior. Women in the first intervention group will get an informative letter explaining the importance of screening, Swiss recommendations, and an invitation to schedule a screening appointment. The second group will receive a free home-based HPV self-sampling kit to collect a vaginal sample. The control group is observed without receiving these interventions during the initial study period. The trial will run starting in October 2025. Participants will be monitored for 12 months to measure their participation in cervical cancer screening. Researchers will also assess socio-demographic factors linked to screening, the choice between HPV testing and cytology, the prevalence of positive screening results, follow-up rates for those with positive tests, and how acceptable the screening methods are. The study will explore connections between cervical and breast cancer screening behaviors. Safety, compliance, and reasons for non-participation will also be evaluated.

Breast Cancer-Related Approach for Increasing Cervical Cancer Screening