Self-Collection of the Pap Smear as Agency: A Novel Way to Improve Refractory Low Cervical Cancer Screening Rates in Rural Alabama (Pap)

Self-Collection of the Pap Smear as Agency: A Novel Way to Improve Refractory Low Cervical Cancer Screening Rates in Rural Alabama

Self-Collection of the Pap Smear as Agency: A Novel Way to Improve Refractory Low Cervical Cancer Screening Rates in Rural Alabama

The purpose of the study is to find out if a self-administered (by the patient) Papanicolaou (Pap) smear is as accurate as a traditional Pap smear administered by a healthcare provider.

Papanicolaou (Pap) smears will be both self-obtained by the patient and obtained by a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. Specimens will then be collected by the nurse or medical assistant who will label each specimen separately. Specimens will be blinded so that the pathologist will not know which specimen was self-collected and which provider-collected. Specimens will then be sent to our clinical laboratory provider (LabCorp) for analysis. Once results from the Pap smears are received, participants will be notified in the usual manner in our clinical practice. Finally, analysis will be conducted to ascertain whether or not a self-administered (by the patient) Pap smear is as accurate as a traditional Pap smear administered by a healthcare provider.

A single cohort of 250 patients will be recruited from among those who need a Papanicolaou (Pap) smear for routine cervical cancer screening, to perform a self-administered Pap smear immediately prior to the traditional Pap smear. Blinded assessment of both tests will be then conducted.

Each patient will participate in both arms of the study on the day of the clinical examination. This arm includes the self-administered Papanicolaou (Pap) smear. They will be compared to each other for congruence and accuracy.

Each patient will participate in both arms of the study on the day of the clinical examination. This arm includes the traditional, healthcare provider obtained Papanicolaou (Pap) smear specimen. They will be compared to each other for congruence and accuracy.

A single cohort of 250 patients will be recruited from among those who need a Papanicolaou (Pap) smear for routine cervical cancer screening, to perform a self-administered Pap smear immediately prior to the traditional Pap smear. Blinded assessment of both tests will be then conducted.

A single cohort of 250 patients will be recruited from among those who need a Papanicolaou (Pap) smear for routine cervical cancer screening, to perform a self-administered Pap smear immediately prior to the traditional Pap smear. Blinded assessment of both tests will be then conducted.

Inclusion Criteria: Female of at least 21 years of age and not over 65 presenting who need routine cervical cancer screening per national guidelines. Exclusion Criteria: prior history of cervical cancer or a positive Pap smear, have had a total hysterectomy (removal of uterus and cervix), or currently enrolled in any other cancer prevention study.

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