Self-collection tools for routine cervical cancer screening: a review.
Sub-optimal participation is a major problem with cervical cancer screening in developing countries which have no organized national screening program. There are various notable factors such as 'embarrassment', 'discomfort' and 'no time' cited by women as they are often also the bread winners for the family. Implementation of self-sampling methods may increase their participation. The aim of this article was to provide a survey of various types of self-sampling tools which are commonly used in collection of cervical cells. We reviewed currently available self-sampling devices and collated the advantages and disadvantages of each in terms of its acceptance and its accuracy in giving desired results. In general, regardless of which device is used, self-sampling for cervical scrapings is highly acceptable to women in most of the studies cited.
Department of Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia E-mail : hayatikb@usm.my.
Nor Hayati
NH
Othman
Fatma Hariati
FH
Mohamad Zaki
D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D003906:Developing Countries; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000458:organization & administration; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods