Overview
The goal of the MYSSELF study is to investigate which biological markers (i.e., (epi)genetic biomarkers) found in self-collected samples, such as first-void urine and vaginal samples, are linked to the presence of endometrial, ovarian, vulvar, or vaginal (pre-)cancer or to postmenopausal bleeding. Samples collected by clinicians from the cervix or vulva, as well as blood and tissue samples, will be used for comparison. The study will explore whether these markers could help improve earlier and less invasive detection of gynecological cancers in the future.
Description
Gynecological cancers include cancers of the cervix, endometrium, ovaries, vulva, and vagina. Early detection of these cancers is important, because treatment is more effective before the disease has advanced. At the moment, cervical cancer is the only gynecological cancer with a population-based screening program. For the other types (endometrial, ovarian, vulvar, and vaginal cancer), only diagnostic methods are available, but these are often uncomfortable for patients or not sufficiently specific. Hence, this study aims to improve early detection by looking for new biological markers (i.e., (epi)genetic biomarkers) in less-invasive samples that are associated with the presence of gynecological cancers. For this, different sample types are collected from patients with endometrial, ovarian, vulvar, or vaginal (pre-)cancer (n=100/(pre-)cancer) or from individuals with postmenopausal bleeding (n=330). These samples include self-samples collected at home (first-void urine (Colli-Pee 20 mL prefilled with urine conservation medium (UCM)) and vaginal self-sample (Evalyn brush)), clinician-collected cervical/vulvar samples, and blood samples. Only when a tissue sample is already being taken as part of the participant's standard treatment or diagnostic follow-up, it will be used for this study as well. As such, participants do not undergo additional invasive procedures as part of the study. All these samples are collected before any treatment begins (e.g., surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy…). For all analyses, current diagnostic results (e.g., dilation \& curettage, transvaginal ultrasonography, blood biomarker CA-125, vulvoscopy, echography, imaging (CT, PET, MRI)) and cancer (histology) diagnoses will be used as the final diagnosis. A questionnaire will provide more information about the presence of risk factors and participants' experiences with the self-sampling methods.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Individuals having female genital organs, regardless of their gender identity
- 18 years old or older at the time of signing the informed consent form
- Diagnosed with either endometrial, ovarian, vulvar, or vaginal cancer irrespective of stage; diagnosed with one of their precursor lesions; or individuals with postmenopausal bleeding
- Has not started any form of cancer treatment prior to study enrolment
- Written informed consent must be obtained from each participant
- The participant is able to understand the information brochure and what the study is about
Exclusion Criteria:
- Individuals that underwent hysterectomy or ovariectomy
- Pregnant individuals or 6 weeks post-partum
- Treatment for endometrial, ovarian, vulvar, or vaginal (pre-)cancer in the last 6 months before participation in the study
- Participating in another interventional clinical study (where, e.g., a medical device, drug, or vaccine is evaluated) at the same time as participating in this study. Participation in another observational or low-interventional clinical study at the same time is allowed.
- Unable to give informed consent
- Participants with a history or current evidence of any condition or abnormality that might confound the results of the study, or when it is not in the best interest of the participant to participate, in the opinion of the investigator.
Exclusion criteria related to blood withdrawal
- Participant has severe anemia
- Participant received a blood transfusion two weeks before sample collection
