Faculty, Staff and Student Publications
Publication Date
12-1-2022
Journal
Journal of Virological Methods
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Anal cancer incidence has increased in Western countries in recent decades and currently there are no consensus screening guidelines. Home-based self-sampling kits might facilitate screening for anal precancer/cancer but could require travel through postal mail where they may experience extreme temperatures or long transport times.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of the environment on specimen adequacy for HPV genotyping of a mailed home-based self-sampling anal cancer screening kit.
STUDY DESIGN: The Prevent Anal Cancer (PAC) Study in Milwaukee, Wisconsin recruited men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender persons 25 years of age and older. Participants were randomized to receive a mailed self-sampling kit or attend a clinic for screening. Kits were insulated with foam and included a device to record temperature every twenty minutes. Samples were returned via mail and underwent HPV genotyping using the SPF
RESULTS: Most specimens (92.5%) were adequate for HPV genotyping. Specimen inadequacy was not associated with temperature, freeze-thaw cycle, or transit time. Fecal matter was present more often in inadequate (71.4%) compared to adequate specimens (16.3%) (p = .004).
CONCLUSIONS: These real-world data from mailed home-based anal self-sampling kits found that environmental conditions did not affect specimen adequacy. While over 90% of specimens were adequate, presence of fecal matter predicted specimen inadequacy.
Keywords
Male, Humans, Early Detection of Cancer, Papillomavirus Infections, Homosexuality, Male, Ribonuclease P, Sexual and Gender Minorities, Anus Neoplasms, Papillomaviridae
DOI
10.1016/j.jviromet.2022.114616
PMID
36096333
PMCID
PMC9645463
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
12-1-2022
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Author MSS
Published Open-Access
yes