ACES At Home
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Alternative CErvical Screening study - ACES At Home: Can a urine test improve uptake in cervical screening?
IRAS ID
321531
Contact name
Emma J Crosbie
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Manchester
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN58902324
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 7 months, 1 days
Research summary
Cervical screening can save lives, yet only 7 in 10 in the UK attend, the lowest rate in 20 years. Reasons include embarrassment, fear of examination and inconvenience.
We would like to find out if self collected urine and vaginal tests could increase uptake in cervical screening. The tests have the potential to remove many of the current barriers to screening. They can be taken at home at a time most convenient for the patient.
To be eligible to take part in this study participants must be overdue cervical screening by 6 months or more. We will work with GP practices across greater Manchester to identify potential participants through overdue cervical screening lists. Participants will be randomised into one of five groups.
1. Group 1 will be posted a urine sample collection kit.
2. Group 2 will be posted a vaginal sample collection kit.
3. Group 3 will receive a letter offering the choice of a urine or vaginal sample collection kit.
4. Group 4 will receive a letter offering a urine sample collection kit.
5. Group 5 will receive a letter offering a vaginal sample collection kit.We will also advertise our project through social media, at face-to-face community events, and by use of posters and leaflets in community settings. Participants recruited through this open method will not be randomised and will instead be offered the choice of a urine or vaginal self-sample kit.
Samples will be tested for High Risk Human Papillomavirus – the virus known to cause cervical cancer. We will look at how many samples are returned and whether there is a preference for urine or vaginal sample collection.
Funding is provided by the National Institute for Health Research.REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/LO/0385
Date of REC Opinion
23 May 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion