A new study, conducted in the Barcelona metropolitan area in collaboration with several healthcare and research centres, including the Fight Infections Foundation, has shown that the anal self-test for detecting human papillomavirus (HPV) is a reliable alternative to samples collected by healthcare professionals.
HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections and is directly associated with the development of several types of cancer. In the case of anal cancer, its incidence is particularly high among men who have sex with men and people living with HIV, highlighting the need to improve prevention strategies and early diagnosis.
“The findings suggest that this tool could facilitate access to screening and improve early detection of anal cancer in higher-risk populations,” explains Dr Guillem Sirera, researcher at the Foundation. The study has been published in the scientific journal Journal of Medical Virology and involved 151 participants from several leading hospitals in Barcelona.
Agreement between self-sampling and clinician-collected samples reaches 96%
The study assessed the agreement between samples collected by participants themselves and those obtained by healthcare professionals. The results show an overall 96% agreement between both methods, with no significant differences, confirming the reliability of self-sampling.In addition, the self-test showed a sensitivity of 96.4%, indicating a high capacity to detect infection, including high-risk HPV genotypes associated with cancer development.
Samples remain stable for several days at temperatures of up to 30°C
The study also analysed the feasibility of using this type of test outside clinical settings. Samples collected by participants remained stable even after several days at temperatures of up to 30°C, making it possible to consider postal delivery models without compromising diagnostic quality.
This finding opens the door to more accessible screening strategies that do not rely exclusively on in-person care and can reach people with limited contact with the healthcare system.
Participants find the anal self-test easy and reliable
Beyond diagnostic accuracy, the study confirms high acceptability of the self-test. Most participants completed the test without assistance, found it easy to perform and expressed confidence in the results. A significant proportion were also willing to repeat the test or send samples by post.
These findings are particularly relevant in a context where HPV screening in key populations remains limited, partly due to barriers such as stigma, discomfort or difficulty accessing healthcare services.
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