Recommendations for a national agenda to substantially reduce cervical cancer

HPV self-sampling among women in the United States: preferences for implementation

PURPOSE

With the inclusion of primary HPV testing in 2018 U.S. Preventive Services Taskforce guidelines, at-home HPV self-sampling may provide a future option for cervical cancer screening, especially among hard-to-reach populations in the U.S. This study evaluated the association of implementation preferences with the willingness of at-home HPV self-sampling.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study in 2018 among U.S. women ages 30-65 years, without a hysterectomy (n = 812). The outcome was willingness to have at-home HPV self-sampling (yes/no). Primary predictor variables (i.e., information source, methods of payment, methods of sending or receiving self-sampling kits) measured self-sampling implementation preferences. Adjusted logistic regression identified associations with willingness to have at-home HPV self-sampling.

RESULTS

Participants who preferred receiving information from healthcare providers (OR = 2.64; 95% CI 1.54,4.52) or from media or other sources (OR = 2.30; 95% CI 1.51,3.48) had higher HPV self-sampling willingness than participants who did not prefer those sources. Participants who did not want to pay for self-sampling (OR = 0.21; 95% CI 0.14,0.32) or did not know if they would pay for self-sampling (OR = 0.35; 95% CI 0.22,0.54) had lower odds of HPV self-sampling willingness compared to participants willing to pay. Participants who did not know which method they preferred for receiving a self-sampling kit (OR = 0.15, 95% CI 0.07,0.31) or preferred delivering the sample to the lab themselves (OR = 0.59; 95% CI 0.36,0.96) had lower odds for self-sampling willingness compared to participants who preferred the mail.

CONCLUSION

Understanding the preferences of women regarding the implementation of HPV self-sampling can improve uptake in cervical cancer screening, especially among hard-to-reach populations.

Self-obtained vaginal samples for HPV DNA testing to detect HPV-related cervical disease

OBJECTIVE

To investigate if a self-obtained vaginal sample (SOVAS) contains sufficient DNA for a human papillomavirus (HPV) test and if the results are comparable to those obtained via cervical samples (CS) collected by a physician.

METHODS

One hundred and fifty-one women who had abnormal cervical smears or who were HPV-positive were enrolled. Self-sampling was done after reading instructions and watching a 2-min-long video, whereas CS was obtained with a cervical cytobrush during a gynecologic examination.

RESULTS

A multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction-based assay detected the prevalence of any type of HPV to be 67.5% in the SOVAS and 57.4% in the CS, and that of high-risk (HR-) HPV to be 58.7% in the SOVAS and 48.6% in the CS. The sensitivity of detection of HR-HPV in the SOVAS was 100% (95% confidence interval [CI] -0.09 to 0.32) for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, 78% (95% CI -0.09 to 0.13) for atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance or worse, and 95% (95% CI -0.01 to 0.25) for low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion or worse, which was statistically within the non-inferiority margin compared with that of CS.

CONCLUSION

Our study shows that the collection of a SOVAS is feasible and it is comparable to a CS for HPV DNA testing. Future studies are required to investigate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of a mail-delivered SOVAS for cervical cancer screening.

Overcoming barriers to adolescent vaccination: perspectives from vaccine providers in North Carolina

To capture strategies for achieving high adolescent coverage of tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap), meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY), and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, we surveyed employees of 20 North Carolina (N.C.) clinics that achieved adolescent vaccination coverage higher than the state average. One employee per clinic completed a surveysummarizing clinic practices regarding adolescent vaccination; perceived barriers and facilitators to Tdap/MenACWY/HPV vaccination; and the role of "champions" who made special efforts to promote adolescent vaccination. Common perceived barriers for all vaccinations were parental opposition and logistical barriers to receiving vaccination. For HPV vaccination, employees cited parental concerns about sexual behavior and injection site pain; no school vaccination requirement; and low-perceived benefit in boys. Most clinics (80%) implemented successful changes to increase adolescent vaccination: consistently offering vaccination, tracking vaccination status using existing data, providing appointment reminders, updating providers on vaccination recommendations, and expanding vaccination hours. Strategies to improve HPV vaccination included co-administration with Tdap and MenACWY, and providing reminders to complete the vaccination series. Vaccine champions strongly recommended vaccination to parents (55%) and educated parents on vaccination recommendations (36%). Clinics in N.C.and similar settings can implement these and other low-resource strategies to overcome adolescent vaccination barriers.

ABBREVIATIONS

CDC=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; EHR=Electronic health record; HPV=Human papillomavirus; Tdap=Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis vaccine; MenACWY=Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine; NCIB=North Carolina Immunization Branch; NCIR=North Carolina Immunization Registry; ACIP=Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

Assessing an intervention to increase knowledge related to cervical cancer and the HPV vaccine

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the primary risk factor for cervical cancer. While the HPV vaccine significantly reduces the risk of HPV infection and subsequent cervical cancer diagnosis, underuse is linked to lack of knowledge of its effectiveness in preventing cervical cancer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a cancer educational intervention (titled "MOVENUP") to improve knowledge of cervical cancer, HPV, and the HPV vaccine among predominantly African American communities in South Carolina. The MOVENUP cancer educational intervention was conducted among participants residing in nine South Carolina counties who were recruited by community partners. The 4.5-h MOVENUP cancer educational intervention included a 30-min module on cervical cancer, HPV, and HPV vaccination. A six-item investigator-developed instrument was used to evaluate pre- and post-intervention changes in knowledge related to these content areas. Ninety-three percent of the 276 participants were African American. Most participants reporting age and gender were 50+ years (73%) and female (91%). Nearly half of participants (46%) reported an annual household income <$40,000 and 49% had not graduated from college. Statistically significant changes were observed at post-test for four of six items on the knowledge scale (P<0.05), as compared to pre-test scores. For the two items on the scale in which statistically significant changes were not observed, this was due primarily due to a baseline ceiling effect.

Determinants of Abnormal Cervical Cancer Screening Follow-Up And Invasive Cervical Cancer Among Uninsured and Underinsured Women in New Jersey

OBJECTIVES

To identify determinants of follow-up care and diagnosis of invasive cervical cancer among uninsured/underinsured women screened for cervical cancer.

METHODS

We examined the associations between health care facility, area-level, and individual-level factors on the outcomes of interest in retrospective cohort of women from the New Jersey Cancer Education and Early Detection Program (2000-2015).

RESULTS

Women screened at department of health clinics (aOR:3.11, 95% CI: 2.30-4.20) and health care system-affiliated clinics (aOR:1.71, 95% CI: 1.11-2.64) had higher odds of lacking follow-up care compared with women in private physician practices. Similarly, women residing in areas with the highest unemployment had higher odds of lacking follow-up (aOR:1.48, 95% CI: 1.07-2.06). Delays in follow-up care were higher for women born in Central/South American countries compared with U.S.-born women (aOR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.12-1.92).

CONCLUSIONS

Improved outreach efforts and multilevel strategies are needed to address the persistent barriers to appropriate follow-up care for underserved women.

Comparative study of HPV and Cervical Cancer Knowledge and Beliefs between Mexican Immigrant Women in the US and Peruvian Women

Cervical cancer remains one of the major cancers affecting women from developing countries, especially those from socioeconomically disadvantage backgrounds. In the US, Hispanic immigrant women experience restricted access to health care and higher incidence rates of cervical cancer compared to the non-Hispanic white population. Knowledge of cervical cancer risk factors and symptoms is associated with greater interest in participating in regular cervical cancer screening. To explore knowledge and beliefs about cervical cancer, survey questionnaires were administered to Mexican immigrant women in southeast Georgia, US and to mestizo women - primarily Quechua language dominant speakers - in Cusco, Peru. As part of these survey studies, there was a list of 32 items asking participants to agree or disagree with whether certain symptoms or risk factors could cause cervical cancer and a pile sort of 15 of the most salient items. Cultural consensus analysis was used to calculate overall agreement with a cultural model of cervical cancer risk factor knowledge in each sample independently. For the Georgia sample, there was marginal consensus, but for the Peru sample, there was no consensus. Analysis of cultural competence values and residual agreement show significant differences across education in the Georgia study, with a positive correlation between education and cultural competence (r=0.50, p=0.001), but not in the Peru study. Likewise, the results of the pile sort data exhibited consensus for the Georgia sample for the cervical cancer risk factors, but not for the Peru sample. The lack of consensus among the Peru sample on either task suggests little widespread knowledge on risk factors of cervical cancer. Additional analyses related to factors associated with screening behaviors from the cultural cancer screening scale indicated more pronounced fatalistic beliefs and catastrophic disease expectations about cervical cancer among the Peruvian women compared to the Mexican immigrant women.

Home Self-Collection by Mail to Test for Human Papillomavirus and Sexually Transmitted Infections

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the validity and acceptability of at-home self-collection to test for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) and sexually transmitted infections among women overdue for cervical cancer screening by national guidelines.

METHODS

Low-income, infrequently screened women were recruited from the general population in North Carolina to participate in an observational study. Participants provided two self-collected cervicovaginal samples (one at home and one in the clinic) and a clinician-collected cervical sample. Samples were tested for high-risk HPV, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Mycoplasma genitalium. Cervical samples were also tested by liquid-based cytology.

RESULTS

Overall, 193 women had conclusive high-risk HPV results for all three samples and cytology results. Prevalence of high-risk HPV within self-home samples (12.4%) was not different from that within clinician samples (11.4%; P=.79) and from that within self clinic samples (15.5%; P=.21). Positivity for high-risk HPV in all sample types increased with increasing grades of cervical abnormality (P<.001). Self-home samples detected high-risk HPV in all identified cases of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions and of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 or worse. Detection was comparable across sample types for T vaginalis (range 10.2-10.8%), M genitalium (3.3-5.5%), C trachomatis (1.1-2.1%), and N gonorrhoeae (0-0.5%). Kappa values between sample types ranged from 0.56 to 0.66 for high-risk HPV, 0.86-0.91 for T vaginalis, and 0.65-0.83 for M genitalium. Most participants reported no difficulty understanding self-collection instructions (93.6%) and were willing to use self-collection in the future (96.3%).

CONCLUSION

Mail-based, at-home self-collection for high-risk HPV and sexually transmitted infection detection was valid and well accepted among infrequently screened women in our study. These findings support the future use of high-risk HPV self-collection to increase cervical cancer screening rates among higher risk women in the United States.

Correlates of Cervical Cancer Screening Adherence Among Women in the U.S.: Findings from HINTS 2013-2014

Following the latest update of cervical cancer screening guidelines in 2012, we estimate the prevalence of guideline adherent cervical cancer screening and examine its associated factors among a nationally representative sample of US women aged 21-65 years. Our study was based on cross-sectional data from Cycles 3 (2013) and 4 (2014) of the Health Information National Trends Survey. The final analytic sample consisted of 2822 women. Guideline adherent cervical cancer screening was defined as having a Pap test within the last 3 years. Correlates of guideline adherent cervical cancer screening included socio-demographic and health-related characteristics and HPV/cervical cancer-related beliefs and knowledge items. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to estimate prevalence of guideline adherent screening. An estimated 81.3% of women aged 21-65 years reported being screened for cervical cancer within the last 3 years. Controlling for sociodemographic and health-related characteristics and survey year, women aged 46-65 years were less likely to be guideline adherent than those aged 21-30 years (aPR = 0.89; 95% CI 0.82-0.97). The adjusted prevalence of adherence was significantly higher among married/partnered than among not married women (aPR = 1.13; 95% CI 1.05-1.22), and those with one to three medical visits (aPR = 1.30; 95% CI 1.14-1.48), and four or more visits in the past year (aPR = 1.26; 95% CI 1.09-1.45) compared to those with no medical visits. Differences in unadjusted prevalence of guideline adherent screening depending on women's beliefs and knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer were not significant in adjusted analyses. Lack of interaction with a healthcare provider, being not married/partnered and increasing age continue to be risk factors of foregoing guideline adherent cervical cancer screening.

Provider Perspectives on Promoting Cervical Cancer Screening Among Refugee Women

Many refugees in the United States emigrated from countries where the incidence of cervical cancer is high. Refugee women are unlikely to have been screened for cervical cancer prior to resettlement in the U.S. National organizations recommend cervical cancer screening for refugee women soon after resettlement. We sought to identify health and social service providers' perspectives on promoting cervical cancer screening in order to inform the development of effective programs to increase screening among recently resettled refugees. This study consisted of 21 in-depth key informant interviews with staff from voluntary refugee resettlement agencies, community based organizations, and healthcare clinics serving refugees in King County, Washington. Interview transcripts were analyzed to identify themes. We identified the following themes: (1) refugee women are unfamiliar with preventive care and cancer screening; (2) providers have concerns about the timing of cervical cancer education and screening; (3) linguistic and cultural barriers impact screening uptake; (4) provider factors and clinic systems facilitate promotion of screening; and (5) strategies for educating refugee women about screening. Our findings suggest that refugee women are in need of health education on cervical cancer screening during early resettlement. Frequent messaging about screening could help ensure that women receive screening within the early resettlement period. Health education videos may be effective for providing simple, low literacy messages in women's native languages. Appointments with female clinicians and interpreters, as well as clinic systems that remind clinicians to offer screening at each appointment could increase screening among refugee women.

Non-junctional Cx32 mediates anti-apoptotic and pro-tumor effects via epidermal growth factor receptor in human cervical cancer cells

The role of connexin proteins (Cx), which form gap junctions (GJ), in progression and chemotherapeutic sensitivity of cervical cancer (CaCx), is unclear. Using cervix specimens (313 CaCx, 78 controls) and CaCx cell lines, we explored relationships among Cx expression, prognostic variables and mechanisms that may link them. In CaCx specimens, Cx32 was upregulated and cytoplasmically localized, and three other Cx downregulated, relative to controls. Cx32 expression correlated with advanced FIGO staging, differentiation and increased tumor size. In CaCx cell lines, Cx32 expression suppressed streptonigrin/cisplatin-induced apoptosis in the absence of functional GJ. In CaCx specimens and cell lines, expression of Cx32 upregulated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression. Inhibition of EGFR signaling abrogated the anti-apoptotic effect of Cx32 expression. In conclusion, upregulated Cx32 in CaCx cells produces anti-apoptotic, pro-tumorigenic effects in vivo and vitro. Abnormal Cx32 expression/localization in CaCx appears to be both a mechanism and biomarker of chemotherapeutic resistance.

Opportunities and Challenges of Adolescent and Adult Vaccination Administration Within Pharmacies in the United States

Pharmacies have been endorsed as alternative vaccine delivery sites to improve vaccination rates through increased access to services. Our objective was to identify challenges and facilitators to adolescent and adult vaccination provision in pharmacy settings in the United States. We recruited 40 licensed pharmacists in states with different pharmacy vaccination laws. Eligible pharmacists previously administered or were currently administering human papillomavirus (HPV); tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (TDAP); or meningitis (meningococcal conjugate vaccine [MCV4]) vaccines to adolescents aged 9 to 17 years. Pharmacists participated in a semistructured survey on in-pharmacy vaccine provision. Pharmacists commonly administered vaccinations to age-eligible adolescents and adults: influenza (100%, 100%), pneumococcal (35%, 98%), TDAP (80%, 98%), MCV4 (60%, 78%), and HPV (45%, 53%). Common challenges included reimbursement/insurance coverage (28%, 78%), education of patients/parents (30%, 40%), and pharmacists' time constraints (28%, 35%). Three-quarters of pharmacists reported that vaccination rates could be increased. National efforts should expand insurance coverage for vaccine administration reimbursement and improve data information systems to optimize provision within pharmacies.

Application of the Carolina Framework for Cervical Cancer Prevention

OBJECTIVE

The Carolina Framework for Cervical Cancer Prevention describes 4 main causes of cervical cancer incidence: human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, lack of screening, screening errors, and not receiving follow-up care. We present 2 applications of the Carolina Framework in which we identify high-need counties in North Carolina and generate recommendations for improving prevention efforts.

METHODS

We created a cervical cancer prevention need index (CCPNI) that ranked counties on cervical cancer mortality, HPV vaccine initiation and completion, Pap smear screening, and provision of Pap tests to rarely- or never-screened women. In addition, we conducted in-depth interviews with 19 key informants from programs and agencies involved in cervical cancer prevention in North Carolina.

RESULTS

North Carolina's 100 counties varied widely on individual CCPNI components, including annual cervical cancer mortality (median 2.7/100,000 women; range 0.0-8.0), adolescent girls' HPV vaccine initiation (median 42%; range 15%-62%), and Pap testing in the previous 3 years among Medicaid-insured adult women (median 59%; range 40%-83%). Counties with the greatest prevention needs formed 2 distinct clusters in the northeast and south-central regions of the state. Interviews generated 9 recommendations to improve cervical cancer prevention in North Carolina, identifying applications to specific programs and policies in the state.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found striking geographic disparities in cervical cancer prevention need in North Carolina. Future prevention efforts in the state should prioritize high-need regions as well as recommended strategies and applications in existing programs. Other states can use the Carolina Framework to increase the impact of their cervical cancer prevention efforts.