HPV self-sampling could greatly expand cervical cancer screening in rural India. A district-level study in Uttar Pradesh showed strong results.

The study was conducted in Amethi district among women aged 30 to 65. It was published in BMC Public Health. Of 23,972 eligible women, 10,141 underwent HPV testing.

In intervention areas, screening coverage rose from just 1.5 per cent at baseline to more than 45 per cent. Self-sampling was strongly preferred. About 83 per cent of screened women chose to collect their own samples.

The programme used both central laboratories and near point-of-care testing platforms. HPV positivity ranged from 3.3 to 4.7 per cent. HPV-16 was the most common high-risk type, at 31 per cent of positives. Women who tested positive received triage with visual inspection.

The study highlighted the role of ASHA workers and digital monitoring. About 52 per cent of screen-positive women received local thermal ablation. Loss to follow-up remains a challenge. Self-sampling could help India scale screening through its public health system.