{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,27]],"date-time":"2026-10-27T03:03:37Z","timestamp":1793070217177,"version":"4.5.0"},"reference-count":42,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"12","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2024,12,17]],"date-time":"2024-12-17T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1734393600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"Shoppers Foundation for Women\u2019s Health-LOVE YOU by Shoppers Drug Mart\u2122 Community Grants Program"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Current Oncology"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background: Although cervical cancer (CC) is highly preventable through appropriate screening methods like the Papanicolaou (Pap) test, which enables early detection of malignant and precancerous lesions, access to such screening has not been equitable across social groups. Sex workers and people with records of incarceration are among the most under-screened populations in Ontario. Little is known about the acceptability and feasibility of HPV self-sampling (HPV-SS) as an alternative cervical cancer screening method for these groups. This online, community-based mixed-methods pilot study aimed to address this knowledge gap. Methods: Eighty-four under- and never-screened sex workers and ex-prisoners aged 25\u201369 years and residing in the Greater Toronto Area, were recruited by community peer associates. Participants completed an online survey and viewed short videos about CC and screening with Pap and HPV-SS. Those who opted for HPV-SS conducted the test at one of two collaborating organizations. Results: The median age of participants was 36.5 years. Most had limited knowledge about CC and screening. Approximately 13% identified as non-binary, and 5% as two-spirit or trans men, with the majority having completed secondary education. Of the participants, 88% chose HPV-SS, and one-third tested positive for high-risk HPV types. The ability to self-sample without judgment from healthcare providers was noted as a key advantage. However, there was a need for training on proper HPV-SS techniques. Conclusions: To improve cervical cancer screening among sex workers, increasing awareness through participatory community co-creation of sexual health education is essential. Additionally, offering HPV-SS as a screening option is crucial, given its demonstrated acceptability and feasibility within this population, many of whom lack a primary care provider and face discriminatory attitudes in healthcare settings.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/curroncol31120590","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,12,17]],"date-time":"2024-12-17T08:17:00Z","timestamp":1734423420000},"page":"7994-8009","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":4,"title":["Breaking Barriers: Empowering Cervical Cancer Screening with HPV Self-Sampling for Sex Workers and Formerly Incarcerated Women in Toronto"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"31","author":[{"given":"Mandana","family":"Vahabi","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Mandana Vahabi, Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Suite 130, Toronto, ON M5T 1P8, Canada"},{"name":"Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Unity Health-St. Michael\u2019s Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada"},{"name":"ICES, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada"},{"name":"Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Jenna","family":"Hynes","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Maggies\u2019 Toronto, Toronto, ON M3C 0C3, Canada"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Josephine Pui-Hing","family":"Wong","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada"},{"name":"Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Natasha","family":"Kithulegoda","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Masoomeh","family":"Moosapoor","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7618-9477","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Abdolreza","family":"Akbarian","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7322-0894","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Aisha","family":"Lofters","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"ICES, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada"},{"name":"Peter Gilgan Centre for Women\u2019s Cancers, Women\u2019s College Hospital, Toronto, ON M5S 1B2, Canada"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,12,17]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","unstructured":"Canadian Cancer Society (2024, July 12). 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