HPV self-sampling New option for screening for cervical cancer. Reduce fear, reduce embarrassment. You can do it yourself.
National Cancer Institute, Department of Medical Services, received a government service award. Service development category, good level, year 2023, from the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission, work title “HPV self-sampling New option for screening for cervical cancer. Reduce fear, reduce embarrassment. You can do it yourself."
Dr. Weerawut Imsamran, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Medical Services, said cancer is an important public health problem in Thailand. Especially cervical cancer, which is one of the five most common cancers in Thai women. Although Thailand has had a policy for cervical cancer screening since 2005, however, there are still some Thai women who have not been screened for various reasons. The Medical Department, Ministry of Public Health recognizes the importance of solving this problem. Therefore, we push for cervical cancer screening using the method of self-collection of vaginal specimens (HPV Self-sampling) to increase options for Thai women who have never been screened to have access to cervical cancer screening. Cervical cancer screening is easier. causing those who are afraid or embarrassed about the examination process Decided to undergo more screenings As a result, coverage of cervical cancer screening at the population level has increased. Leads to a concrete reduction in sickness and death rates.
Dr. Napa Siriwiwattanakul, M.D. Director of the National Cancer Institute Added that The implementation of cervical cancer screening by self-collection of vaginal specimens began with the “Home Cervical Cancer Self-Screening Project” organized by the Ministry of Public Health as a New Year's gift for 2022, implemented since 1 January. – 31 December 2022, providing services to 80,000 Thai women aged 30-60 years who have never had an HPV DNA test before, nationwide.
Later in fiscal year 2023, the National Health Security Office (NHSO) announced that cervical cancer screening using the HPV Self-sampling method It is a benefit package under the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Fund project. Thai women aged 30–60 years can undergo screening free of charge (1 time/5 years) at service units participating in the project. Those wishing to receive the service can receive a sample collection kit to collect themselves and then return the collected sample to the staff for analysis in the laboratory. Those with abnormal results will be diagnosed and treated further. From the start of cervical cancer screening service using HPV Self-sampling method. From February 2022 until August 2023, more than 200,000 people have registered for screening.
Source: Thai News Agency