Cervical cancer: the self-test is twice as effective as conventional screening

Each year 3,000 new cases of cervical cancer are detected in France according to Public health France. 62% of women aged 25 to 65 are tested by smear every three years, as recommended by the recommendations. If caught early enough, pre-cancerous lesions can be treated so that they do not turn into cancer.

The 2014-2019 cancer plan aims to increase this screening rate to 80%. To improve the detection of this type of cancer, another technique is being developed: the self-test. According to Swedish researchers, this method would detect twice as many cases of women at risk. The result of their study, conducted at the University of Uppsala, Sweden, was published in the journal British Journal of Cancer.

Scientists compared the effectiveness of the “traditional” method, a smear performed by the gynecologist and then analyzed by cytology, a method of analyzing cells, and this new technique, where the women themselves take a sample. which is then subjected to analysis. Both can detect the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV). It is this virus that can cause cancer.

Shorter diagnostic time

36,390 women participated in this research. They were between 30 and 49 years old. Two groups were formed, one experimented with the new method and the other the old one. If HPV was detected, the two had to re-examine, alone, or with a gynecologist. The detection rate was twice as effective with the self-test. This made it possible to provide them with the appropriate preventive treatments. The diagnostic wait time was also shorter with the self-test.

A risk of isolation

In 2016, the self-test method was tested in Marseille. The self-test had been proven, more women had agreed to do it, compared to a smear screening. However, health professionals remain cautious about this technique. In fact, for women at odds with the medical world, this technique can isolate patients even more.