Action and Impact: Prevention and Screening Strategies Contributing to the Elimination of Cervical Cancer

A special issue of Current Oncology (ISSN 1718-7729). This special issue belongs to the section "Gynecologic Oncology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2025 | Viewed by 1865

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
2. Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3T2, Canada
Interests: psychosocial oncology; HPV; cervical cancer; vaccine decision-making; cancer prevention; vaccine hesitancy; COVID-19

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cervical cancer is a preventable public health problem. Currently, it is one of the only cancers that has a clear preventable cause, the human papillomavirus (HPV). There are several HPV vaccines; they are safe and effective in preventing cervical cancer. We can also screen for cervical cancer using safe, effective and inexpensive methods, e.g., HPV DNA testing. Although we have the tools available to eliminate cervical cancer, one woman dies every two minutes from this disease worldwide.

For this Special Issue, we are pleased to invite you to submit original research articles and commentaries related to the behavioural and implementation sciences of HPV vaccination and/or screening practices that are contributing to the goal of eliminating cervical cancer. We welcome articles that examine ways to increase acceptability or projects that were able to increase knowledge, or modify behaviours related to cervical cancer prevention practices. This Special Issue focuses on the behavioural and implementation sciences i.e., the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of  HPV vaccine acceptability, HPV vaccine hesitancy, the acceptability, knowledge and attitudes of women towards HPV and HPV self-sampling. This includes actionable suggestions or examples, e.g., the implementation of new programs, health care provider (physicians, dentists, nurses and allied health professionals) communication strategies and interventions to increase the acceptability of health behaviours that will lead toward the attainable goal of cervical cancer elimination.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Samara Perez
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • HPV vaccine acceptability
  • cervical cancer health behaviours
  • implementation sciences
  • behavioural sciences

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

9 pages, 239 KiB  
Article
HPV Self-Sampling for Cervical Cancer Screening in Under-Screened Saskatchewan Populations: A Pilot Study
by Erin Vink, Gabriella Antaya, Camille Hamula, Carla Holinaty, Jessica Minion, Gregory R. Pond, Sabryna McCrea, Lynn Dwernychuk, Holly Graham, Gordon Broderick, Mary Kinloch and Jennifer Brown Broderick
Curr. Oncol. 2024, 31(8), 4261-4269; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol31080317 - 26 Jul 2024
Abstract
Of all cancers in female Canadians, the most rapidly increasing incidence is that of cervical cancer. The objective of this pilot study was to assess how HPV self-sampling might improve cervical cancer screening participation in both urban and rural settings in Saskatchewan, one [...] Read more.
Of all cancers in female Canadians, the most rapidly increasing incidence is that of cervical cancer. The objective of this pilot study was to assess how HPV self-sampling might improve cervical cancer screening participation in both urban and rural settings in Saskatchewan, one of the most sparsely populated provinces in Canada. Study groups consisted of n = 250 participants to whom self-swabbing kits were mailed with instructions and n = 250 participants to whom kits were handed out in 6 urban and rural clinics. The inclusion criteria selected subjects aged 30–69 years who were Saskatchewan residents for at least 5 years with valid health coverage, had a cervix, and had no record of cervical cancer screening in 4 years. The returned samples were analyzed for specific HPV strains using the Roche Molecular Diagnostics Cobas 4800® System. The overall response rate was ~16%, with the response to the handout distribution being roughly double that of the mailout. While HPV positivity did not differ across the distribution groups, participants at a specific inner-city clinic reported significantly higher positivity to at least one HPV strain as compared to any other clinic and all mailouts combined. For this high-risk population, in-person handout of self-sampling kits may be the most effective means of improving screening. Full article
14 pages, 511 KiB  
Article
Important and Feasible Actions to Address Cervical Screening Participation amongst South Asian Women in Ontario: A Concept Mapping Study with Service Users and Service Providers
by Kimberly Devotta, Patricia O’Campo, Jacqueline Bender and Aisha K. Lofters
Curr. Oncol. 2024, 31(7), 4038-4051; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol31070301 - 17 Jul 2024
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Abstract
Regular cervical screening can largely prevent the development of cervical cancer and innovative methods are needed to better engage people in screening. In Ontario, Canada, South Asian women have some of the lowest rates of screening in the province. In this study, we [...] Read more.
Regular cervical screening can largely prevent the development of cervical cancer and innovative methods are needed to better engage people in screening. In Ontario, Canada, South Asian women have some of the lowest rates of screening in the province. In this study, we used concept mapping to engage two stakeholder groups—South Asian service users and service providers—to identify and prioritize points of intervention to encourage the uptake of cervical screening. After participants brainstormed a master list of statements, 45 participants rated the statements based off ‘importance’ and ‘ease to address’ in relation to encouraging cervical screening. A bivariate plot (X-Y graph) that shows the average rating values for each statement across the two rating variables (a ‘go-zone’ display) was produced to display priorities for implementation. Statements that were considered high priority to address reflected issues around education and awareness including understanding and communication related to cervical screening and preventative care, as well as the need for trusted sources of information. Statements that were considered high priority but challenging to implement were centered around fear, stigma, discomfort, family and personal priorities. This study highlighted that stigma, norms and social relations that impact the uptake of screening must be addressed in order for education and awareness raising to be effective and to move people from conviction around screening to action. Full article
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12 pages, 7187 KiB  
Article
Mother–Child Approach to Cervical Cancer Prevention in a Low Resource Setting: The Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services Story
by Lorraine Elit, Florence Manjuh, Lillian Kila, Beatrice Suika, Manuela Sinou, Eliane Bozy, Ethel Vernyuy, Amandine Fokou, Edith Welty and Thomas Welty
Curr. Oncol. 2024, 31(6), 3227-3238; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol31060244 - 3 Jun 2024
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Abstract
Introduction: The rates of cervical cancer screening in Cameroon are unknown and HPV vaccination coverage for age-appropriate youths is reported at 5%. Objectives: To implement the mother–child approach to cervical cancer prevention (cervical screening by HPV testing for mothers and HPV vaccination for [...] Read more.
Introduction: The rates of cervical cancer screening in Cameroon are unknown and HPV vaccination coverage for age-appropriate youths is reported at 5%. Objectives: To implement the mother–child approach to cervical cancer prevention (cervical screening by HPV testing for mothers and HPV vaccination for daughters) in Meskine, Far North, Cameroon. Methods: After the sensitization of the Meskine–Maroua region using education and a press-release by the Minister of Public Health, a 5-day mother–child campaign took place at Meskine Baptist Hospital. The Ampfire HPV Testing was free for 500 women and vaccination was free for age-appropriate children through the EPI program. Nurses trained in cervical cancer education conducted group teaching sessions prior to having each woman retrieve a personal sample. Self-collected samples were analyzed for HPV the same day. All women with positive tests were assessed using VIA–VILI and treated as appropriate for precancers. Results: 505 women were screened, and 92 children vaccinated (34 boys and 58 girls). Of those screened, 401 (79.4%) were aged 30–49 years old; 415 (82%) married; 348 (69%) no education. Of the HPV positive cases (101): 9 (5.9%) were HPV 16, 11 (10.1%) HPV 18, 74 (73%) HPV of 13 other types. Those who were both HPV and VIA–VILI positive were treated by thermal ablation (63%) or LEEP (25%). Conclusion: The mother–child approach is an excellent method to maximize primary and secondary prevention against cervical cancer. Full article
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