Increasing cervical cancer screening among under-screened women invited through breast screening programs
Official title: Improving Cervical Cancer Screening Coverage Among Underscreened Women Aged 50 to 74 in Switzerland Using HPV Self-sampling Strategies: A Randomized Study - Breast Cancer-Related Approach for Increasing Cervical Cancer Screening
Run by School of Health Sciences Geneva · NCT07171658 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial will test whether sending an awareness letter or mailing a free HPV self-sampling kit gets more cervical cancer screening among women aged 50–74 in parts of Switzerland who haven't had screening in three years.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 50 Years to 74 Years |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 4500 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | School of Health Sciences Geneva Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Geneva, Canton of Geneva) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | October 7, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | December 22, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07171658 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Women aged 50–74 who live in the selected cantons, speak one of the study languages, receive a breast screening invitation, and have not had cervical screening in the past three years.
✕Probably not a fit
Women with prior cervical cancer, prior hysterectomy, current pregnancy, inability to consent, or those already up to date with cervical screening are unlikely to benefit from participation.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This randomized interventional trial enrolls women aged 50–74 across five Swiss cantons who have not had cervical screening in the past three years and who are invited for breast cancer screening. Participants are randomized to one of three arms: an awareness letter inviting them to schedule cervical screening, a mailed free HPV self-sampling kit, or an observational control group recruited one year later to avoid influencing behavior. Primary outcome is cervical screening participation; secondary outcomes include choice of primary screening method (HPV vs Pap), prevalence of positive results and follow-up rates, acceptability of the strategies, and associations with sociodemographic factors. The study also examines the relationship between breast and cervical screening behaviors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these approaches could increase screening uptake among underscreened women and enable earlier detection of precancerous conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that mailed HPV self-sampling kits and targeted reminder letters can increase participation among underscreened groups, so this trial builds on established strategies.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Women receiving Breast Cancer Screening (BCS) invitation letters in the selected five cantons (Geneva, Bern (francophone), Jura, Neuchâtel, and Vaud) * Aged 50 to 74 years old * Not been screened for cervical cancer in the past three years * Speaking one of the 6 languages of the study (French, German, Italian, and in English, Spanish, and Portuguese) Exclusion Criteria: * Prior cervical cancer diagnosis, * Hysterectomy * Non consent to participate to the study * Incapable of judgment or under tutelage * Pregnancy
Where it's running
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University Hospitals of Geneva
Geneva, Canton of Geneva, Switzerland Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Jessica Di Vincenzo-Sormani, PhD
- Email: jessica.di-vincenzo-sormani@hesge.ch
- Phone: +41 22 558 58 78
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.