Early Detection of Vulval CAncer Through Self-Examination (EDuCATE): Intervention Study

Vulval cancer is a rare gynaecological cancer, with an increasing incidence rate. IThis trend is expected to risk in years to come because of an aging populating and the increasing rate of human-papillomavirus-related vulval squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) in young women.

Vulval cancer has a profound effect on the quality of life of women diagnosed with the disease. It carries both disease-related mortality risk and significant morbidity including lower limb lymphoedema, sexual dysfunction and groin discomfort.

Early detection of vulval cancer leads to improved survival and allows for conservative surgical treatment, lower morbidity and improved cosmesis. It is widely agreed that there is no role for screening the general population for vulval cancer; there are no systematic screening programmes nor are there reliable screening methods for identifying malignant precursors . The identification of vulval premalignant and malignant disease, therefore relies on the recognition and reporting of vulval symptoms by the patient and the knowledge and clinical acumen of the health care professional.

There is however, a population of women with chronic vulval conditions who are more likely to develop vulval cancer. Lichen sclerosus (LS), lichen planus (LP) and VIN are recognised precursors of vulval cancer. Regular follow-up in a specialist vulval clinic allows for evaluation of symptom control and treatment compliance and identification of early malignant change; however, regular vulval self-examination may prompt early diagnosis. The interval between noticing a symptom and seeking help could potentially be reduced by providing clear information on signs and symptoms of vulval cancer and guidance on monitoring skin-changes.

Secondary follow-up is not necessary for all women, and women with stable lichen sclerosis are often managed in primary care. Recent guidance from the British Association of Dermatology recommends that women with vulval LS who have responded to treatment be discharged to the care of their general practitioner after a twelve month follow-up period .However, as a majority of women discharged from UK vulval clinics are not subsequently followed up in primary care appropriately, it is important that women are able to self-examine and are confident in recognising and reporting suspicious symptoms. There is, however, no formalised method of teaching vulval self-examination and many women continue with secondary care input.

Self-management focusses on actions that people undertake for themselves to manage their health and illness. In order to self-manage, self-management support is needed (e.g. actions by healthcare professionals). Self-management has been shown to be effective in improving health outcomes such as quality of life. Skin self-examination can reduce mortality in melanoma. A meta-analysis of 18 trials of skin self-examination concluded that interventions including personalised phone counselling, whole body photographs and reminders to perform skin self-examination increased the number of events of patients examining themselves for skin cancer.

A recent mixed-method study by the investigators has demonstrated that only 9% of women have been taught to self-examine, yet up to 86% self-examine regularly. Despite being motivated, 50% reported a lack of confidence in recognition of vulval pathology and a high level of worry about their vulval condition. Both clinicians and patients agreed that face to face teaching was the best intervention for teaching vulval self-examination (unpublished).

The overarching aim of the intervention is to support vulval self-examination in women at high risk of developing vulval cancer. The aims, processes and outcomes were agreed at the focus groups of both women with vulval conditions and clinicians.

The structured intervention will include face-to-face training on vulval self-examination(VSE), supplemented with the use of aids including a hand-mirror or a selfie-stick. Women will be supported with reminders to self-examine, access to a telephone helpline and a leaflet on self-examination.