SHORT REPORT

Implementation of human papillomavirus testing in cervical screening without a concomitant decrease in participation rate

N W J Bulkmans^1,*, S Bulk^1,*, M S Ottevanger¹, L Rozendaal¹, S M Hellenberg², F J van Kemenade², P J F Snijders¹, A J P Boeke³ and C J L M Meijer¹

¹ Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
² ScreeningsOrganisatie Bevolkingsonderzoek Baarmoederhalskanker Noord-Holland & Flevoland, GGD Amstelveen, Amstelveen, The Netherlands
³ Department of General Practice, Institute for Research in Extramural Medicine, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
C J L M Meijer
Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Center, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands; cjlm.meijer{at}vumc.nl

Adding high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) testing to screening increases the efficacy of cervical screening programmes. However, hrHPV testing may result in a lower participation rate because of the perceived association with sexually transmitted infections. We describe how testing for hrHPV was added to cervical screening in the POpulation-BAsed SCreening study AMsterdam (POBASCAM) trial. Participation rates of the screening programme before and after hrHPV implementation were evaluated in the region where the POBASCAM trial was carried out. The participation rate was 58.7% before and 61.4% after the addition of hrHPV testing to screening (p<0.001). An inventory of frequently asked questions is presented. Thus, hrHPV testing can be added to cervical screening by cytology without a decrease in participation rate.

Abbreviations: hrHPV, high-risk human papillomavirus; POBASCAM, POpulation-BAsed SCreening study AMsterdam

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