Mailing HPV Self-Testing Kits Increases Screening Rates and Reduces Costs, Research Shows

Recent findings published in JAMA Network Open indicate that distributing self-sampling kits for human papillomavirus (HPV) through the mail significantly enhances the completion rates of cervical cancer screening programs while also being cost-effective.

Persistent infections with high-risk HPV types can lead to abnormal cell growth, which is a precursor to cervical cancer. This study represents the first comprehensive analysis of the cost-effectiveness of mailing HPV self-testing kits within a U.S. healthcare framework.

According to the lead researcher, this approach has previously demonstrated its effectiveness in boosting screening rates, but there has been a lack of data on its economic viability in the United States. The study's results strongly advocate for health systems to incorporate mailed HPV self-sampling as part of their cervical cancer screening initiatives, given its capacity to reach a diverse patient demographic.

The research examined over 31,000 female members of Kaiser Permanente Washington, aged between 30 and 64, between November 2020 and July 2022. Participants were categorized according to their screening history: those who regularly adhered to screening, those overdue for screening, and those with an unknown screening history.

The findings revealed that for women who were already compliant with screening guidelines, mailing HPV self-sampling kits proved to be both more effective and cost-efficient compared to standard care models. For patients who were overdue for screening, the distribution of these kits was also found to be more effective than traditional methods, with the added benefit of being either cost-saving or incurring minimal additional costs, depending on specific circumstances.

This research underscores the potential benefits of utilizing direct-mail HPV self-tests in public health strategies aimed at increasing cervical cancer screening rates and improving overall health outcomes.