Richter, Karin Louise2014-07-212014-07-212013Richter, KL 2013, 'Alternative sampling methods for cervical cancer screening : practical perspectives from the laboratory', Southern African Journal of Gynaecological Oncology, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. S5-S9.2074-2835http://hdl.handle.net/2263/40911The coverage of cervical cancer screening in South Africa is inadequate, with an estimated 8.8-million unscreened women who are mainly serviced by the public health sector in lower-resourced areas. Alternative screening options need to be considered. Every step in the screening process needs to be critically evaluated to design a practical programme without a bottleneck, to deliver maximum benefit with limited available resources. Patient self-sampling has been identified as an acceptable method of specimen collection for many women. Patient self-sampling, combined with high-risk human papillomavirus-based testing, has the potential to increase cervical cancer screening coverage, especially in areas where screening is inadequate.en© SASGOCervical cancer screeningPatient self-samplingHuman papillomavirus (HPV)Article