Abstract A108: Improving communication and management following a positive home HPV self-sampling kit result
Authors: Muthukrishnan Meera , Tiro Jasmin A. , Hansen Kris , Lin John , Dorsey Caitlin , Gao Hongyuan , Troja Catherine , Anderson Melissa , Meenan Richard , Green Beverly B. , Buist Diana S.M. , Winer Rachel 
Published: January 2023

Background: Over 14,000 cervical cancers are diagnosed annually in the U.S. In 2019, ~30% of individuals with a cervix were under-screened based on current guidelines. Previous studies established feasibility of mailed self-sampling high-risk HPV test kits to improve screening adherence. Qualitative findings from our HOME trial found unmet information needs and anxiety among patients with a positive kit result. We designed the STEP trial to test optimized implementation strategies for educating patients about screening when offering the kit to patients due/overdue for screening, and when reporting results. Purpose: To evaluate acceptability of the implementation strategies, we interviewed individuals after receiving a positive kit result about the result communication processes and their information needs. Methods: The STEP trial added a centralized licensed practical nurse to communicate about and arrange scheduling for all patients with positive kit results, and provided an educational pamphlet to explain the purpose of HPV testing (especially difference to Pap testing) and how latent infections can reactivate. Telephone interviews were conducted from December 2021 to March 2022 with 29 patients (56% of invited) who had a positive kit result. Interview guide asked about reaction to the kit, results communication, patient-provider interactions, and follow-up visit experiences; and included a survey regarding attitudes toward the kit. Five coders analyzed interview transcripts using iterative content analysis; 12 transcripts were double-coded. Codes were organized into node reports to identify overarching themes. Results: Of 29 participants, most (65.5%) were non-Hispanic White and the average age was 47.5 years (SD=11.2). Participants appreciated the convenience of the kit, though a few worried about the accuracy of self-sampling test results, especially compared to screening performed by a provider. While surprised by the positive kit result, all reported feeling reassured after talking with the nurse and understood next steps in the diagnosis and management process, although some reported still wanting to check with their primary care provider about the test findings. Though an educational pamphlet was provided with the home HPV kit, most participants did not recall receiving it or using it to understand their kit results. After reflecting on home kit versus in-clinic screening, most (69%) preferred using the kit on their own to provider-collected screening. All (100%) agreed that the kit instructions were easy to understand, however 90% were sure that they had sampled the right place, and 86% believed that the home test results were correct. Discussion: Unlike the prior HOME trial, there was less negative affect expressed by patients after receiving results. This suggests patients received the information needed to continue with the screening process and supports the value of a centralized nurse. Providing educational materials at multiple timepoints may further improve results communication in the future.

Citation Format: Meera Muthukrishnan, Jasmin A. Tiro, Kris Hansen, John Lin, Caitlin Dorsey, Hongyuan Gao, Catherine Troja, Melissa Anderson, Richard Meenan, Beverly B. Green, Diana S.M. Buist, Rachel Winer. Improving communication and management following a positive home HPV self-sampling kit result [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 15th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2022 Sep 16-19; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr A108.