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Background: We evaluate the cost-effectiveness of HPV self-collection (followed by scheduling assistance for those who were HPV+ or inconclusive) compared to scheduling assistance only and usual care among underscreened persons with a cervix (PWAC). Methods: A decision tree analysis was used to estimate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs), or the cost per additional PWAC screened, from the Medicaid/state and clinic perspectives. A hypothetical cohort represented 90,807 low-income, underscreened individuals. Costs and health outcomes were derived from the MyBodyMyTest-3 randomized trial except the usual care health outcomes were derived from literature. We performed probabilistic sensitivity analyses (PSA) to evaluate model uncertainty. Results: Screening uptake was highest in the self-collection alternative (n=65,721), followed by the scheduling assistance alternative (n=34,003) and usual care (n=18,161). The self-collection alternative cost less and was more effective than the scheduling assistance alternative from the Medicaid/state perspective. Comparing the self-collection alternative to usual care, the ICERs were $284 per additional PWAC screened from the Medicaid/state perspective and $298 per additional PWAC screened from the clinic perspective. PSAs demonstrated that the self-collection alternative was cost-effective compared to usual care at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $300 per additional PWAC screened in 66% of simulations from the Medicaid/state perspective and 58% of simulations from the clinic perspective. Conclusion: Compared to usual care and scheduling assistance, mailing HPV self-collection kits to underscreened individuals appears to be cost-effective in increasing screening uptake. Impact: This is the first analysis to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of mailed self-collection in the US.

Background: Male circumcision reduces the risk of human immunodeficiency virus infection in men. We assessed the effect of male circumcision on the incidence and natural history of human papillomavirus (HPV) in a randomized clinical trial in Kisumu, Kenya. Methods: Sexually active, 18- to 24-year-old men provided penile exfoliated cells for HPV DNA testing every 6 months for 2 years. HPV DNA was detected via GP5+/6+ PCR in glans/coronal sulcus and in shaft samples. HPV incidence and persistence were assessed by intent-to-treat analyses. Results: A total of 2,193 men participated (1,096 randomized to circumcision; 1,097 controls). HPV prevalence was 50% at baseline for both groups and dropped to 23.7% at 24 months in the circumcision group, and 41.0% in control group. Incident infection of any HPV type over 24 months was lower among men in the circumcision group than in the control group [HR = 0.61; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.52–0.72]. Clearance rate of any HPV infection over 24 months was higher in the circumcision group than in the control group (HR = 1.87; 95% CI, 1.49–2.34). Lower HPV point-prevalence, lower HPV incidence, and higher HPV clearance in the circumcision group were observed in glans but not in shaft samples. Conclusion: Male circumcision reduced the risk of HPV acquisition and reinfection, and increased HPV clearance in the glans. Impact: Providing voluntary, safe, and affordable male circumcision should help reduce HPV infections in men, and consequently, HPV-associated disease in their partners.

Background: Primary high-risk human papillomavirus (hr-HPV) testing of self-collected cervico-vaginal swabs could increase cervical cancer screening coverage, although triage strategies are needed to reduce unnecessary colposcopies. We evaluated the use of extended hr-HPV genotyping of self-collected samples for cervical cancer screening. Methods: We recruited women ages 25–65 years at two colposcopy clinics in North Carolina between November 2016 and January 2019, and obtained self-collected cervico-vaginal samples, provider-collected cervical samples, and cervical biopsies from all enrolled women. Self- and provider-collected samples were tested for 14 hr-HPV genotypes using the Onclarity Assay (Becton Dickinson). We calculated hr-HPV genotype–specific prevalence and assessed agreement between results in self- and provider-collected samples. We ranked the hr-HPV genotypes according to their positive predictive value (PPV) for the detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 2 or higher (CIN2+). Results: A total of 314 women participated (median age, 36 years); 85 women (27%) had CIN2+. More women tested positive for any hr-HPV on self-collected (76%) than on provider-collected samples (70%; P = 0.009) with type-specific agreement ranging from substantial to almost perfect. HPV-16 was the most common genotype in self-collected (27%) and provider-collected samples (20%), and HPV-16 prevalence was higher in self- than provider-collected samples (P < 0.001). In self- and provider-collected samples, HPV-16 had the highest PPV for CIN2+ detection. Conclusions: Overall sensitivity for CIN2+ detection was similar for both sample types, but the higher HPV-16 prevalence in self-collected samples could result in increased colposcopy referral rates. Impact: Additional molecular markers might be helpful to improve the triage of women who are hr-HPV positive on self-collected samples.

Background: Oncogenic types of human papillomavirus (HPV) have been linked to 99.7% of cervical cancer cases worldwide. Methods: This retrospective claims-based analysis was conducted to assess patterns of use and costs associated with diagnostic and treatment procedures for disease attributed to HPV performed before the introduction of HPV vaccination (January 1, 2001–May 31, 2006). Percentages of commercially insured health plan enrollees who underwent each procedure of interest were calculated for each year. Annual costs (combined patient and health plan-paid amounts) were calculated from qualifying medical claims. Descriptive statistics were used to assess trends in procedure rates and costs. Results: Data for approximately 14.2 million enrollees were obtained. Hysterectomy was the most commonly administered treatment. With the exception of colposcopy with LEEP, all other treatment procedures experienced a decline in rate of use. The most frequently performed diagnostic procedure was colposcopy with endocervical curettage (ECC). With the exception of ECC, rates of diagnostic procedures reached a peak among 20- to 24-year-olds, and followed a downward trend across older groups. Hysterectomy was the most expensive treatment (median $7,383; mean $8,384) per procedure in 2006. Conclusion: Results reveal high rates of use and high-associated costs of diagnostic procedures and treatments related to disease attributed to HPV. Impact: The data presented may be useful in cost-effectiveness analyses and to guide decision makers evaluating how best to optimize prevention strategies. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(9); 1469–78. ©2012 AACR.

Background: An estimated one in eight cervical cancer cases is due to lack of follow-up care for abnormal Pap smear results. Low rates of completion of follow-up care particularly affect low-income and minority women and women from rural areas (SEER, 2014). The burden of cervical cancer could be significantly reduced through interventions that improve timely follow-up and treatment. Mobile communications via text messaging may present a low-cost opportunity to increase rates of clinic return among women referred to follow-up on abnormal primary cervical cancer screening results. Purpose: To determine the acceptability and feasibility of using text messaging as a means of increasing completion of follow-up care following an abnormal cervical cancer screening result. We also examined factors that may affect the acceptability and use of text messaging to increase communications between health care providers and low-income and minority women. Methods: Study participants were 15 African American and low-income women who had undergone a Pap smear within the preceding 12 months. Semistructured interviews, including open- and closed-ended questions from a validated questionnaire, were conducted by phone or in person, depending on participant preference. Data were analyzed using a mixed-methods approach. Responses to closed-ended survey items were tabulated and descriptive statistics generated using Excel. Responses to the open-ended questions were coded and analyzed using NVivo 11 qualitative analysis software. Results: Nearly all women in the study (93%) were comfortable receiving a text message from a health care provider stating that their Pap smear results were available (age Conclusions: Most participants indicated a willingness to receive text messages from their health care providers on the results of their cervical cancer screening and believed that text messages were the best way to remind them of their appointment for follow-up care. Concerns about privacy of health information could be addressed by minimizing reference to the nature of an appointment in the message. While text messaging seems promising to improve adherence to timely follow-up, personal preferences should be considered in the use of this technology--possibly by allowing patients to opt out of text communications. Further research is needed to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of this approach to improve adherence to follow-up in high-risk populations. Citation Format: LaHoma Smith Romocki, Leslie Cofie, Andrea Des Marais, Theresa Curington, Chelsea Anderson, Jennifer S. Smith. Acceptability of text messaging for communication of health information among Black and low-income women following abnormal cervical cancer screening [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Tenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2017 Sep 25-28; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2018;27(7 Suppl):Abstract nr B08.

Background: Differential access to basic health information may contribute to persistent cervical cancer disparities. We examined whether human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine awareness, HPV knowledge, and use of information sources about the vaccine differ by sociodemographic characteristics associated with cervical cancer. Methods: Study participants (n = 889) were caregivers of adolescent girls ages 10 to 18 years living in southeastern North Carolina. Analyses simultaneously controlled for caregivers' gender, race, age, education, income, and rural residence. Results: Although most caregivers were aware of HPV (83%) and the HPV vaccine (82%), awareness differed by gender, race, education, and income. The largest differences were for race, with 87% of Whites versus 68% of African Americans having heard of the vaccine (P < 0.001). Caregivers correctly answered an average of 69% of questions on HPV, with differences by race and education. Most respondents heard of the HPV vaccine through drug company advertisements (83%) or broadcast media coverage (69%). African Americans were less likely than Whites to have heard about the vaccine from advertisements but more likely from a broadcast source (P < 0.05). Health care providers (88%) and the internet (65%) were the most favored sources for future information about the vaccine. Vaccine uptake was associated with awareness, knowledge, and media use. Discussion: Whereas drug company advertisements seem to play a central role in high HPV vaccine awareness, doctors and the internet are the preferred future “go to” sources for seeking out information. Communication-based interventions for caregivers from cervical cancer risk groups, especially African Americans, may need to use different communication channels and content. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(2):363–72)

Objective: This study aimed to estimate if risk factor profiles for histologically confirmed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 lesions differ from those for CIN 1 or 3. Methods: A total of 2,055 women positive for high-risk human papillomavirus, with a minimum of five cervical biopsies, were enrolled in the Shanxi Province Cervical Cancer Screening Study II. We evaluated risk factor profiles for CIN 2 in comparison with CIN 1 and 3. Polytomous logistic regression was used to generate odds ratios and corresponding 95% confidence intervals and to test for differences in odds ratios across histologic grades. Results: The risk for CIN 3 associated with three or more pregnancies and sexual intercourse within 4 months of childbirth was higher than that for CIN 2 (Pdifference = 0.02 and 0.0007, respectively). Significant differences in the associations of age groups with CIN 1 and 2 were observed, such that there were positive associations with CIN 2 but none for CIN 1. There was no difference in the association of number of sexual partners or reported number of abortions between CIN 1 and 2 or between CIN 3 and 2. Conclusions: In our study, the patterns of risk factor profiles for CIN 1, 2, and 3 were unique. Conventional grouping of CIN 2 with 3 for analysis of risk factors may need revisiting. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(9):2350–5)

Low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) associated with certain human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes may preferentially progress to cervical cancer. HPV genotyping may thus have the potential to improve the effectiveness of screening programs and to reduce overtreatment. LSIL cases (n = 8,308) from 55 published studies were included in a meta-analysis. HPV genotype distribution was assessed by geographic region and in comparison with published data on cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). HPV detection in LSIL was 80% in North America but less than 70% in other regions, most likely reflecting regional differences in LSIL diagnosis. Among 5,910 HPV-positive LSILs, HPV16 was the most common genotype (26.3%) followed by HPV31 (11.5%), HPV51 (10.6%), and HPV53 (10.2%). HPV-positive LSILs from Africa were 2-fold less likely to be infected with HPV16 than those in Europe, and HPV-positive LSILs from North America were more likely to be infected with HPV18 than those from Europe or South/Central America. Interpretation for rarer genotypes was hampered by variation in HPV testing methodology. SCC/LSIL prevalence ratios indicated that HPV16 was 2-fold and HPV18 was 1.5-fold more common in SCC than in HPV-positive LSIL, thus appearing more likely to progress than other high-risk genotypes (SCC/LSIL prevalence ratios between 0.05 and 0.85). HPV53 and HPV66 showed SCC/LSIL ratios of 0.02 and 0.01, respectively. HPV genotype distribution in LSIL differs from that in cervical cancer, highlighting the importance of HPV genotype in the risk of progression from LSIL to malignancy. Some regional differences in the relative importance of HPV genotypes in LSIL were noted.