Exploring an alternative way to triage samples within cervical cancer screening
Our analysis comparing the costs of using DNA methylation testing for triage instead of liquid-based cytology (LBC) within the Netherlands cervical screening programme has now been published as an open access peer reviewed publication in the journal Diagnostics. Self-sample collection for human papillomavirus (HPV)-primary cervical screening has been adopted in some settings to complement traditional Read More >
Economic evaluation comparing two cervical screening strategies in Belgium: HPV primary versus co-testing
Our recent research comparing two hypothetical cervical screening algorithms in Belgium, has been accepted for publication in the European Journal of Cancer Prevention and is now available online as a preprint in medRxiv. In the study, we performed a cost-consequence analysis to evaluate the financial implications and potential benefits of two different screening protocols: 1) Read More >
Comparing the costs and benefits of the use of an mRNA HR-HPR assay to a DNA HR-HPV assay in the proposed cervical screening programme in France
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women aged 15 to 44 years in France. With the implementation of cytology-based cervical screening, cervical cancer incidence and mortality have decreased over time, however, cervical cancer remains a concern. As cervical cancer is primarily caused by persistent infection with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HR-HPV), guidelines for Read More >
Further evidence that point of care (POC) testing for STIs means better clinical care for patients
Most people are now familiar with using rapid diagnostic tests with many people regularly using lateral flow tests for COVID-19. Within sexual health clinics, rapid testing for HIV has been widely used for a number of years but using rapid tests for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea is not yet Read More >
User experience and workflow performance: a pilot evaluation of the Genius Digital Diagnostics System for screening cervical cytology samples
It is generally understood that the cytology work process can be stressful and fatiguing affecting technicians’ performance and job satisfaction on a day-to-day basis and in the longer term. This study assessed the performance and user experience of cytotechnologists (CTs) reviewing liquid-based cytology samples using a new digital cytology platform Genius Digital Diagnostics System (Genius Read More >
Modelling the costs and benefits of an mRNA compared to a DNA high-risk HPV assay in a hypothetical HPV primary screening algorithm in Ontario, Canada
Cases of cervical cancer in Canada have decreased recently as a result of cytology-based screening programs. However, cervical cancer remains a relatively common and preventable cause of cancer in women. As cervical cancer is primarily caused by persistent genital infection with high-risk (HR) human papillomaviruses, Ontario Health has been evaluating implementing HPV-based testing in cervical Read More >
Research in Dravet syndrome and cervical cancer screening presented at international conferences
Aquarius has recently presented posters at international conferences (ISPOR, a conference for the leading professional society for health economics and outcomes research and EUROGIN, an international multidisciplinary HPV conference), exploring the impact of improving healthcare for two very different conditions: Dravet syndrome (rare debilitating epilepsy) and cervical cancer.
Sexual Health
Improving clinical decision making and patient management
How much would community-based screening for chlamydia and gonorrhoea cost?
We collaborated with St George’s, University of London, on a NIHR-funded study ‘Test n Treat’ (TnT). This study assessed the cost of providing same-day chlamydia and gonorrhoea testing and treatment service at higher education colleges. The paper presenting this work was published in BMC Health Services Research and is now available online.
Using an mRNA versus DNA test in the English cervical screening programme can save £15m annually and reduce unnecessary testing
The results of our economic evaluation comparing the use of mRNA and DNA assays in screening for cervical cancer in England were published in BMJ Open and are now available online. Results show large cost savings from avoiding unnecessary testing and follow-up, which can benefit women and healthcare services.