Acceptability of Self-sampling for Uterine Cervical Screening in the Lao PDR

Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, and over 88% of cases occur in developing countries (IARC, 2008). Cervical cancer, which is preventable and treatable, is the number one cancer killer of women in developing countries. Since the introduction of Papanicolaou (Pap) smear screening, cervical cancer prevention efforts worldwide have focused on screening women at risk of the disease using Pap smears and treating precancerous lesions in developed countries. As a result, Pap smear screening has significantly reduced the mortality rates of cervical cancer (Christopherson et al., 1976; Kim et al., 1978; Ries et al., 1999). Pap smear screening is a multipart process that can lead to early detection of cervical cancer and its precursors. In resourcerich settings, women are usually able to make repeated