Cervical cancer:
Screening is the best method of prevention
Cervical cancer kills around one hundred patients per year in Switzerland. Currently around 30 to 40% of women do not take part in screening programs and are at risk of developing cervical cancer. Every year, 250 cases are diagnosed.
In September 2011, the HUG Gynecology Division launched a study to better understand women’s resistance to screening. Is it caused by embarrassment, lack of funds, time pressure or lack of information?
What is the DEPiST study?
A clinical study aimed at women aged 25 to 69 who have not had a gynecological check-up for three years or more The study includes free screening, either during a consultation at the Maternity Unit, or by self-testing at home. The study will finish at the end of November 2015
What is the aim of DEPiST?
This study, which was approved by the HUG ethics committee and is conducted in French, English and Spanish, aims to: understand why certain women do not take part in cancer screening; and to evaluate screening methods. It aims to include around 1,100 women.