Cervical Cancer Screening Project Part C

Minnesota Community Networks Center for Eliminating Cancer Disparities: Cervical Cancer Screening Project Part C Quantitative

This proposal has been developed through collaboration between the University of Minnesota and New American Community Services (NACS), and the research design is based on a needs assessment conducted by the community partner. The investigators will test the hypotheses that women who are offered home vaginal bio-specimen collection will have higher rate of cervical cancer screening completion than that of women referred for clinic-based Pap test. All participants will be given identical education materials on cervical cancer screening and HPV, currently in use by the Minnesota Sage Program.

The trial will pilot text a protocol for home vaginal bio-specimen collection for human papillomavirus (HPV) testing for cervical cancer screening. The main objective is to estimate the successful screening completion rate among a sample of Somali women who have not undergone cervical cancer screening for three or more years. Women will be randomized to either home vaginal bio-specimen collection or referral to undergo a clinic-based Pap test.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Somali female age 25-70 years

  • have lived in the U.S. 10 years or less
  • have not had a Pap test (by self report) in the last 3 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• Women with a self reported past history of any of the following will not be eligible:

  • total hysterectomy
  • cervical cancer
  • active history of cervical dysplasia