BD Partners with Camtech Health to Increase Access to Cervical Cancer Screening in Singapore (2024)

First-Ever Program in the Country to Offer At-Home Self-Collection of Samples for HPV Testing

SINGAPORE, Feb. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX), a leading global medical technology company, today announced a strategic partnership with Camtech Health, a digital health company focused on at-home health testing, to advance cervical cancer screening by offering the first-ever option for women in Singapore to self-collect a sample in the privacy of their own home.

The program combines the Camtech Health HPV (human papillomavirus) test for self-collection with the BD Onclarity™ HPV Assay, which is a clinically validated test that can simultaneously detect 14 high-risk HPV strains (or "genotypes"). The program objective is to improve the rate of cervical cancer screening in Singapore, where less than half of eligible women are currently being tested.

"For women in Singapore, lack of time, embarrassment, fear and inconvenience are among the key barriers to screening, and before now, Singapore only offered HPV testing via hospital or clinic settings with a speculum examination and a clinician collection," stated Dr. Jeff Andrews, vice president of Global Medical Affairs at BD. "Cervical cancer is preventable, precancer is curable, and programs like this help to support the national goal of cervical cancer elimination. Not only does self-collection afford women greater access to HPV testing by enabling them to collect a sample in privacy at a time and place of their choosing, but they can also feel confident that the reliability of self-collected samples is comparable to those collected by a clinician."ii 

In late 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched its Global Strategy to Accelerate the Elimination of Cervical Cancer, recognizing the potential to virtually eliminate cervical cancer as a public health threat, recognizing the potential to eliminate cervical cancer in our lifetime.iii The strategy established clear targets to achieve by 2030 for HPV vaccination coverage (>90%), screening coverage (>70%) and access to treatment (>90%). 

At-home collection can help address the urgent public health challenge of reaching women who do not attend routine cervical cancer screening.

  • Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women globally, with an estimated 604,000 new cases and 342,000 deaths in 2020.iv

  • Almost all cervical cancer cases (more than 95%) are caused by a persistent HPV infection, an extremely common virus transmitted through sexual contact. i

  • In Singapore, cervical cancer ranks as the 10th most frequent cancer among women and the 4th most frequent cancer among women between 30 and 39 years of age.v

  • Cervical cancer screening among all women in Singapore aged 25 – 74 decreased by 17% between 2007 and 2019; from 58% to 48%.vi

  • Among those aged 25-29, the decline has been more precipitous—from nearly 50% in 2007 to only 21% in 2019.v

"Making at-home self-collection available is the first step to empowering health and well-being, but making the test easy to use is just as important," said Kuok Meng-Han, Chairman of Camtech Health. "The Camtech Health HPV test with the Camtech Health app is completed in simple steps and then sent via postage-paid packaging provided in the kit. The sample is analyzed using the BD Onclarity™ HPV assay, and the BD Viper™ LT fully automated integrated molecular testing system, and physician-reviewed results are provided on the app with a virtual consultation to discuss any abnormalities." 

HPVs are a large group of related viruses. Each virus in the group is given a number, which is called an HPV genotypevii (or "type"). BD Onclarity™ is the only FDA-approved assay that tests for an extended set of HPV types individually, and particularly for HPV52 and HPV33/58, three HPV types that pose a high-risk for causing cervical cancer in Singapore. Most clinically validated tests report multiple HPV types in a single pooled result, which can mask the true risk of developing cervical cancer. Being able to identify the high-risk genotypes that are prevalent in cervical cancers in the country is critical to the detection and prevention of cervical cancer.

"Providing women the ability to self-collect in the convenience of their own home is critical to improving their access to cervical cancer screening, and empowering women to take charge of their own health, especially among underserved communities in Singapore who might be deterred from seeking healthcare," said Dr. Ida Ismail-Pratt, Advisor of the Alliance for Active Action against HPV (A4HPV), a youth-led non-profit committed to increasing awareness about HPV and its related cancers, by working on effective strategies for equitable and affordable cervical cancer screening access across the Commonwealth. "With less than 50% of women in Singapore regularly screening for cervical cancer, it is heartening that this self-collection option is finally available in Singapore for the first time. We hope that this additional option will help Singapore to reach the WHO's cervical cancer screening goal of 70% by 2030, and truly leaving no one behind.''

Combining HPV self-collection with an assay that individually identified more kinds of HPV allows clinicians to focus on those women at highest risk while not overtreating those at very low risk by allowing risk stratification directly on the screening samplevi. The BD Onclarity™ HPV Assay received the industry's first CE Mark for HPV screening from at-home self-collected vaginal samples.

Camtech Health is a digital health company that is focused on empowering people across Singapore and Southeast Asia to take control of their health and well-being and lead healthier and fuller lives. Camtech does this by integrating multiple disciplines to deliver a seamless sample-to-insight testing experience using home self-collection test kits – all in the convenience and comfort of their own home. For more information or to order the Camtech Health HPV Test, please visit www.camtech-health.com/health-tests or download the Camtech Health App (available on iOS and Android). The home self-collection kits are also available through SOG Health, a leading healthcare service provider dedicated to holistic health and wellness services to the modern family with a long and established track record in Singapore providing Obstetrics and Gynecology services. https://www.sog.com.sg/about-sog/

About BD Onclarity™ HPV Assay

The BD Onclarity™ HPV Assay detects and identifies 14 high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types in a single analysis and provides genotyping information from specimens collected for cervical cancer screening purposes using both BD SurePath™ Preservative Fluid  and  Hologic PreservCyt® Solution, as well as in the Cervical Brush Diluent tube (not approved in the United States). The assay is for use in accordance with clinical guidelines and within the scope of local regulatory authorizations as part of a comprehensive approach to cervical cancer screening. The BD Onclarity™ HPV Assay has FDA approval for clinical use in cytology-based screening with ASC-US triage, in co-testing paradigm, and in primary HPV screening. The assay has also met international criteria for primary HPV screening. BD Onclarity™ HPV Assay has FDA approval for use in vaccinated women. As the previously vaccinated subpopulation ages, the screening population will progressively include women with reduced prevalence of HPV 16 and 18, increasing the value of extended genotype reporting in a mixed population of vaccinated and unvaccinated women. Visit bd.com and pages.bd.com/extended-genotyping to learn more.

About BD

BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world and is advancing the world of health by improving medical discovery, diagnostics and the delivery of care. The company supports the heroes on the frontlines of health care by developing innovative technology, services and solutions that help advance both clinical therapy for patients and clinical process for health care providers. BD and its more than 70,000 employees have a passion and commitment to help enhance the safety and efficiency of clinicians' care delivery process, enable laboratory scientists to accurately detect disease and advance researchers' capabilities to develop the next generation of diagnostics and therapeutics. BD has a presence in virtually every country and partners with organizations around the world to address some of the most challenging global health issues. By working in close collaboration with customers, BD can help enhance outcomes, lower costs, increase efficiencies, improve safety and expand access to health care. For more information on BD, please visit bd.com or connect with us on LinkedIn at  www.linkedin.com/company/bd1/, X (formerly Twitter) @BDandCo or Instagram @becton_dickinson

Media Contacts
BD corporate media

Troy Kirkpatrick

VP, Public Relations

858.617.2361

troy.kirkpatrick@bd.com

BD Singapore local media

Keefe Chee

Segment Marketing Lead, Life Sciences

65.9199.3584

keefe_chee@bd.com

Investors

Adam Reiffe
BD Investor Relations
201.847.6927 

adam.reiffe@bd.com

BD Partners with Camtech Health to Increase Access to Cervical Cancer Screening in Singapore (2024)

FAQs

BD Partners with Camtech Health to Increase Access to Cervical Cancer Screening in Singapore? ›

BD announced a strategic partnership with Camtech Health to advance cervical cancer screening by offering the first-ever option for women in Singapore to self-collect a sample in the privacy of their own home.

What is the cervical cancer screening rate in Singapore? ›

In the 2019 population health survey, 48.2% of women surveyed had done a pap smear within the past 3 years, despite 88.5% of them knowing about the purpose of pap smears (13).

What is the evaluation of the National cervical cancer screening Programme in Singapore? ›

Among women aged 25-69 years who had their first Pap smear screening and who were recommended for routine rescreen in three years, 10% had a subsequent rescreen within three years. Overall, the CSS programme was able to detect 0.37 invasive cancers per 1,000 screens in women aged 25-69 years.

What factors are most influential in increasing cervical cancer screening attendance? ›

The most commonly reported facilitators were: Ease of making appointments; Peace of mind; and Fear of cancer/preventing serious illness. While importance rating of barriers did not differ by previous screening behaviour, ratings of some facilitators significantly differed.

What are the factors influencing acceptance of cervical cancer screening? ›

Furthermore, the authors in [6] also indicated that other factors leading to the low uptake of cervical cancer screening includes poor knowledge about cervical cancer, poor attitudes towards disease, and lack of awareness of risk factors can affect screening practices and the improvement of preventive behaviours for ...

Is cervical cancer common in Singapore? ›

Cervical cancer is the 10th most common female cancer in Singapore. Every year, more than 200 women in Singapore are diagnosed with cervical cancer. Strains of the sexually transmitted infection, human papillomavirus (HPV), play a role in causing most cervical cancer.

How often should you get a Pap smear in Singapore? ›

Yes, you should go for a Pap smear every three years even if you have been vaccinated. About 30% cervical cancer cases are caused by HPV sub-types which the vaccine does not protect against. In other words, the vaccines do not protect against all cancer-causing HPV sub types.

Is cancer screening free in Singapore? ›

For Healthier SG (HSG)-enrolled Singapore Citizens, nationally-recommended screening under Screen for Life will be fully subsidised at their enrolled HSG clinic. You can check with your enrolled HSG clinic when your recommended screening is due.

What are the new methods for cervical cancer screening? ›

Although the process for a healthcare provider obtaining a cervical sample is similar with both cytology or HPV DNA testing, HPV DNA testing is simpler, prevents more pre-cancers and cancer, and saves more lives than VIA or cytology. In addition, it is more cost-effective.

How much is cervical cancer screening at Polyclinic Singapore? ›

Pap test rates for 25 to 29-year-olds and above
$15for Singaporeans at polyclinics
$22.50for Permanent Residents at polyclinics
$2 or $5for Singaporeans at CHAS GP clinics

What is causing the increased incidence of cervical cancer? ›

This reflects major inequities driven by lack of access to national HPV vaccination, cervical screening and treatment services and social and economic determinants. Cervical cancer is caused by persistent infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV).

What is the number one preventable cause of cervical cancer? ›

More than 4,000 women die of cervical cancer each year. As many as 93% of cervical cancers could be prevented by screening and HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination. In 2012, 8 million US women ages 21 to 65 reported they had not been screened for cervical cancer in the last 5 years.

What is the most probable cause of cervical cancer? ›

Infection by the human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most important risk factor for cervical cancer. HPV is a group of more than 150 related viruses. Some of them cause a type of growth called papillomas, which are more commonly known as warts.

What is the trend in cervical cancer screening? ›

From 1999 to 2019, the percentage of women who received at least 1 cytology or HPV test decreased from 18.9% (2.9 million women) in 1999 to 8.5% (1.3 million women) in 2019, a reduction of 55.3%; use rates of colposcopy and cervical procedures decreased 43.2% and 64.4%, respectively.

What are the cultural factors affecting cervical cancer screening? ›

Results. Five themes that described participants' perceptions on culture and religion as barriers to early cervical cancer screening emerged from the data. These included a lack of knowledge, stigmatisation, cultural beliefs and values, religion and a lack of resources.

What are the five predisposing factors to cervical cancer? ›

Specific risk factors that were explored included early coitarche, multiple sexual partners, polygamous relationships, history of smoking, and having a current partner who had multiple sexual partners.

What is the HPV rate in Singapore? ›

How prevalent is HPV in Singapore? In Singapore, the prevalence rate of HPV-related infections is projected to be around 9.31%. It's important to mention that infection rates are highly associated with penetrative sex, illiteracy, and having numerous sexual partners.

What percentage of people are screened for cervical cancer? ›

The new statistics show over 4.62 million cervical screening invites were sent out, but the number who are up to date with screening is now at 68.7%, down from 69.9% the previous year. It is incredibly frustrating to see targets missed for the 19th year in a row.

What is the participation rate for cervical cancer screening? ›

About this indicator

This indicator shows cervical screening participation rate for participants aged 25– 74, by state and territory across Australia from 2018– 2022. NSW had a participation rate of 67.2% which is slightly below the national participation rate of 68.3%.

Which country has the highest rate of cervical cancer? ›

The highest rates of cervical cancer incidence and mortality are in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), Central America and South-East Asia.

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