A comparison of diagnostic indicators of cervical cancer screening among women accessing through volunteer organisations and those via the organised programme in Turin (Piedmont Region, Northern Italy).

OBJECTIVES:to compare cervical cancer screening diagnostic indicators in women accessing screening through volunteer non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and in those who access via the National Health Service (NHS) programme. DESIGN:cohort study on archive data. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS:the study cohort consists of 93,086 women aged 30-64 years who underwent an HPV test via NHS screening programme or through premises implemented within volunteers NGOs in Turin between 2015 and 2019. The screening history and Census data recorded into the Piedmont screening archive were used. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:positive baseline HPV test, positive triage cytology (low-grade lesions, ASC-US, L-SIL and high-grade lesions, H-SIL, ASC-H, AGC, Cancer), attendance at one-year HPV test repeat, referral and attendance to colposcopy at first and test repeat, and detection rate at first and test repeat, for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade >=2 (CIN2+) and >=3 (CIN3+), overall detection rates. RESULTS:women performing cervical screening through volunteer NGOs (WASVO) are disadvantaged in terms of diagnostic indicators compared to women accessing via the NHS. WASVO are 60% more likely to be positive at the first HPV-test (adjusted prevalence ratio 1.6; 95%CI 1.2-2.0); their likelihood of being referred to colposcopy is double (adj PR 2.1; 95%CI 1.3-3.4); attendance rate to one year HPV test repeat is lower (adj PR 0.2; 95%CI 0.1-0.5); detection rates at first HPV screening test both for CIN2+ (adj PR 2.1; 95%CI 0.9-4.6) and CIN3+ (adj PR 2.1; 95%CI 0.9-5.1) is higher, even if statistical significance is borderline for the latter results. CONCLUSIONS:those responsible for screening programmes should establish and maintain collaborative relationships with local volunteer NGOs and migrant organisations for promoting strategies to raise awareness on cancer prevention among subgroups that are not captured in the main screening programs.