What is it about?
This study demonstrates the safety, feasibility and performance of self-collected low vaginal swabs for HPV testing among pregnant women. This significantly increases opportunities for cervical screening particularly in LMICs and the unscreened.
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Why is it important?
Currently only 9% of women in developing countries have ever had a cervical screening test. This falls way short of the 70% cervical screening target by 2030 set by WHO to achieve cervical cancer elimination. Most women will only see a healthcare provider during their antenatal period. Providing women with the option to undertake a cervical screening test during their antenatal care using a simple and safe method can potentially increase the screening uptake rates.
Perspectives
Cervical cancer is a disease of inequity. Every effort must be put in to reach the women who are least likely to be screened and are at greatest risk of developing cervical cancer. Self- collection for HPV testing can be integrated into maternal services and should be looked in order to achieve the WHO cervical cancer elimination targets.
Yin Ling Woo
University of Malaya
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The acceptability, safety, and performance of primary cervical screening through self-collected vaginal samples in an urban teaching hospital antenatal clinic setting, PLOS Global Public Health, September 2025, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0005149.
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