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Comparison of Cervical Screening at 6- and 12-Weeks Postnatal: A Paired-Sample Feasibility Study
Victoria A Cullimore1,2, Tessa Dean1, Kim Chu3
1Department of Gynaecological Oncology, GRACE Centre, Musgrove Park Hospital, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, Taunton, Somerset, UK.
Summary
Postnatal cervical screening at 6 and 12 weeks is feasible, with high patient acceptance and low inadequacy rates. Urine self-sampling for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) testing may be less sensitive in this population.
Area of Science:
- Gynecologic oncology
- Public health
- Clinical feasibility studies
Background:
- Postnatal care presents an opportunity for cervical cancer screening.
- Evaluating new methods like urine self-sampling alongside traditional methods is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of a paired-sample study comparing cervical screening and urine self-sampling at 6 and 12 weeks postpartum.
- To evaluate uptake, patient-reported outcomes, and HPV detection rates.
Main Methods:
- A paired-sample feasibility study was conducted in an acute hospital setting.
- Participants were females within 6 weeks of childbirth.
- Compared clinician-taken samples for cervical screening and high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) testing with urine self-samples at 6 and 12 weeks postpartum.
Main Results:
- Feasibility was demonstrated with 47% consent and high attendance rates (89% at 6 weeks, 83% at 12 weeks).
- Cervical screening showed low pain scores and high patient willingness for future screening.
- Clinician-taken HPV tests had high agreement (94.8%) between 6 and 12 weeks, but urine self-sampling showed potentially lower HPV sensitivity.
Conclusions:
- A paired-sample study of cervical screening at 6 and 12 weeks postpartum is feasible.
- Cervical screening demonstrated low inadequacy rates and high agreement.
- Urine self-sampling may have reduced sensitivity for high-risk HPV detection in the early postpartum period.
