Background: Participation rate in the national cervical cancer screening programme is currently less than 70% in Finland. A new potential method of increasing the attendance are self-taken samples for hrHPV-testing.
Methods: All cervical cancer screening non-attendees in 22 municipalities received first a reminder letter. Non-attendees after the reminder letter were offered a self-sampling device.
Results: Reminder letters increased total participation from 72.6% to 79.9%, and self-sampling tests further to 83.4%. If reminder letters were sent with fixed appointments, participation was significantly higher (30 vs. 14%).
Conclusions: If self-sampling is used after the recommended two invitations, overall screening attendance could reach the desired 80% to 85%.