Self-sampling with Qvintip − a new and effective way to reach and test women not participating in smear test programs

35−40% of women not participating in screening programs do perform a self-sample at home if offered the alternative.

Not all women attend

Many women choose not to participate in regular smear test programs. Women not taking smear tests represent 65% of all cervical cancer cases.¹ In average 20% of women invited to cervical cancer screening do not attend.

Why don't women attend?

There are several reasons,² the most common being:

Lack of time, due to family or job obligations
Feeling discomfort, stress of taking a gynaecological examination
Fear of having cancer
Feeling healthy

Qvintip self-sampling at home eliminates many of these obstacles.

Qvintip − a quick and simple self-sampling kit

Qvintip is a self-sampling kit consisting of a plastic wand, a small plastic tube, a response envelope and instructions. The wand is used to collect a small sample of vaginal secretion. The tip of the wand goes in the sample tube and is sent to the lab for analysis. Qvintip is registered with the Swedish Medical Products Agency and CE-marked for clinical use.

Qvintip self-sampling wand

The Qvintip pack includes a plastic self-sampling wand, a small plastic sample tube, a response envelope and simple instructions. Self-sampling takes just a few minutes.

Cervical cancer is caused by Human Papilloma virus (HPV) infections. Persistent HPV infection precedes the apperance of cytological abnomalities.

HPV analysis

Aprovix offer HPV analysis with the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) method The PCR method is CE-marked and approved for clinical use within Europe. The analysis is performed by GenoID, a leading European HPV laboratory in Hungary. The PCR method detects 14 high-risk strains (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 and 68).

The Aprovix Process

The Aprovix process is a turnkey solution for health care providers. Companies operating the Aprovix process will be able to manage the whole process from sending out mailshots, sampling kits and reminders, to analyzing samples and mailing results. A proprietary software track the process and secures that the validated operating processes are followed.. All that is is needed from the health care provider is a list of addresses of the women to be offered Qvintip self samping at home.

The health care provider can then be supplied with regular progress reports and lists of HPV-positive and HPV-negative women.

A solution built on a secure foundation

Qvintip has been evaluated in partnership with Uppsala University Hospital in Sweden.³

A total of 10,000 women have been offered Qvintip, of which over 4,000 chose to use it.

Will this generate more women in need of follow up?

At younger ages, in women less than 30, the incidence of HPV infection is considerably higher than the incidence of ASCUS in PAP smears.

However, in women aged 40 or older, the HPV test is both more specific and more sensitive than cytology.³

HPV incidence depends on age:

30−39 years old: 11% HPV +
40−49 years old: 6% HPV +
60−59 years old: 3% HPV +

About 25% of all cervical cancer affects women whose latest PAP smear was normal1

The HPV test is about twice as sensitive⁴ and can thus identify more women at risk of developing cancer.

To learn more about this effective way to reach women, please contact us.

References

Andrae B et al, Screening-preventable cervical cancer risks; evidence from a nationwide audit in Sweden, J Natl Cancer Inst 2008; 100:605-06
Oscarsson M et al, Reasons for non-attendance at cervical screening as described by non-attendees in Sweden, J Ps Obst a. Gyn2007; 00(0):1-9
Sanner et al, Self-sampling of the vaginal fluid at home combined with high-risk HPV testing, Br J Cancer 2009; 101:871-74
Efficacy of human papillomavirus testing for the detection of invasive cervical cancers and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: a randomised controlled trial; Ronco et al. The Lancet Oncology 2010; 11:249-57
I Wikström et al. Self-sampling and HPV testing or ordinary Pap-smear in women not regularly attending screening: a randomised study. British Journal of Cancer 105, 337-339 (26 July 2011) | doi:10.1038/bjc.2011.236