Speculum ‘not needed’ for clinician-collected HPV samples, study suggests
Researchers show such testing is ‘broadly comparable’ with self-sampling
A speculum is not necessary for GPs to get usable HPV samples from older women for cervical screening, according to UK research.
The results are comparable to traditional screening and preferred by patients, the study authors said.
Among 205 women aged 50-64 undergoing routine screening, results from samples collected without a speculum at 11 general practices were 96.6% concordant with those collected with a speculum on the same day.
Ten women were positive to HPV on both tests, including three women with HPV16, with high specificity to HPV, found the Kings College London-led researchers.
