Self-collected versus clinician-collected anal swabs for anal cancer screening
Compares swabs people take themselves with swabs taken by a clinician, in adults with HIV.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Swabs in Screening for HPV (SWISH)
Key facts
- Where
- Adelaide, Cudgen, Darlinghurst, Melbourne, and Sydney, AustraliaSee the 10 sites
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 35 and 75 years old?
Source: NCT07790601, who can take part
Where in Australia
- Royal Adelaide HospitalAdelaide, AustraliaNo longer taking part
- North Coast Sexual Health and HIV Services, Tweed Valley Sexual Health ClinicCudgen, AustraliaNo longer taking part
- Taylor Square Private ClinicDarlinghurst, AustraliaNo longer taking part
- Melbourne Sexual Health CentreMelbourne, AustraliaNo longer taking part
- Easy Sydney DoctorsSydney, AustraliaNo longer taking part
- Holdsworth House Medical PracticeSydney, AustraliaNo longer taking part
- RPA Sexual HealthSydney, AustraliaNo longer taking part
- St Vincent's Hospital SydneySydney, AustraliaNo longer taking part
- Sydney Sexual Health CentreSydney, AustraliaNo longer taking part
- Western Sydney Sexual Health CentreSydney, AustraliaNo longer taking part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Kirby Institute
- Trial code
- NCT07790601
- Record updated
- 27 August 2026
- Original description
This trial aims to evaluate if self-collected anal swabs (SCS) can be used for anal cancer screening. Currently, only clinician-collected anal swabs (CSC) are recommended for anal cancer screening, and this may be a barrier for people to access screening. About 700 people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Australia will randomly undergo a SCS followed by a CSC, or the other way around. Swabs will be tested for high-risk human Papillomavirus (HRHPV, which causes most anal cancer) and if the swab is positive for HRHPV, it will also be tested for pre-cancerous cells. The anal swabs will be tested for new biomarkers, "methylation", which might help us predict if precancerous lesions will develop into anal cancer. Everyone will be asked about their preferences for swab collection. If someone tests positive for HRHPV, they will receive further care. We expect that more screening options will result in more people being screened.Read full original descriptionShow less
Randomised Controlled Trial of Self-collected vs Clinician-collected Anal Swabs for Anal Cancer Screening in People Living With HIV (PLHIV) in Australia
This trial aims to evaluate if self-collected anal swabs (SCS) can be used for anal cancer screening. Currently, only clinician-collected anal swabs (CSC) are recommended for anal cancer screening, and this may be a barrier for people to access screening. About 700 people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Australia will randomly undergo a SCS followed by a CSC, or the other way around. Swabs will be tested for high-risk human Papillomavirus (HRHPV, which causes most anal cancer) and if the swab is positive for HRHPV, it will also be tested for pre-cancerous cells. The anal swabs will be tested for new biomarkers, "methylation", which might help us predict if precancerous lesions will develop into anal cancer. Everyone will be asked about their preferences for swab collection. If someone tests positive for HRHPV, they will receive further care. We expect that more screening options will result in more people being screened.
Inclusion: Living with HIV; Gay, bisexual or other man who has sex with men or trans woman aged at least 35 years, or all other people aged at least 45 years; Able to commit to and undertake all study procedures; Willing and able to provide informed consent, in any of the following languages:; English. ii. Alternatively, use of the accredited translation service usually utilised in the participant's healthcare appointments.
Exclusion: Previously undergone an HRA; Concurrent malignancy requiring systemic therapy, or medical conditions otherwise considered contraindicated to HRA by the delegated investigators; History of anal cancer and/or anal HSIL; Aged over 75 years of age at time of enrolment; Medically directed treatment (including topical treatments) to the anal canal in the preceding two weeks, which in the opinion of the consenting investigator could impact swab viability.