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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

AI summary: who the study is looking for

From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.

The trial is looking for people living with HIV who are at least 35 or 45 years old, depending on group, to compare swabs taken by themselves and by a clinician for anal cancer screening.

Age
Gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men and trans women: at least 35 years. All other people: at least 45 years. Maximum 75 years.
Sex
All sexes can join.
Disease stage
No anal cancer and no anal high-grade precancerous lesion (HSIL) in the past.
Earlier treatment
No treatment to the anal canal in the last two weeks that could affect the swab.

Main reasons for not taking part

  • Older than 75 years at enrolment
  • Had a high resolution anoscopy (HRA) before
  • History of anal cancer or anal HSIL
  • Anal canal treatment in the last two weeks that could affect the swab
  • Another cancer needing systemic therapy, or a condition that rules out HRA

This trial only enrols participants living with HIV. The registry sentence this rests on: Living with HIV.

Read by machine on 12 November 2026.

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, AustraliaContact: Dr Michelle Thomas, MBBS, PhDNo longer taking part
  • North Coast Sexual Health and HIV Services, Tweed Valley Sexual Health ClinicCudgen, AustraliaContact: A/Professor Vincent Cornellise, MBBS, PhDNo longer taking part
  • Taylor Square Private ClinicDarlinghurst, AustraliaContact: Dr Mark O'Reilly, MBBSNo longer taking part
  • Melbourne Sexual Health CentreMelbourne, AustraliaContact: Professor Jason Ong, MBBS, PhDNo longer taking part
  • Easy Sydney DoctorsSydney, AustraliaContact: Dr David Baker, MBBSNo longer taking part
  • Holdsworth House Medical PracticeSydney, AustraliaContact: Dr Mark Bloch, MBBSNo longer taking part
  • RPA Sexual HealthSydney, AustraliaContact: Dr Rachel Burdon, MBBS, MPHNo longer taking part
  • St Vincent's Hospital SydneySydney, AustraliaContact: Prof Richard Hillman, MBChB, PhD, FRCPNo longer taking part
  • Sydney Sexual Health CentreSydney, AustraliaContact: Dr Rick Varma, MB ChB, MRCPNo longer taking part
  • Western Sydney Sexual Health CentreSydney, AustraliaContact: Prof David Lewis, MBBS, PhDNo longer taking part

Questions to ask the study team

  1. How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
  2. Are travel costs paid?
  3. Can I keep my own doctor?
  4. What happens if I want to stop?

Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations

Print a page for my doctor

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.

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07790601