A diagnostic kit to improve breast cancer detection in Uganda
Official title: Breast Cancer Diagnostic Kit to Improve Early Diagnosis in Uganda
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-10949739 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating a handy breast cancer testing kit for doctors in Uganda, using smart technology to help find cancer early and make sure more people can get accurate diagnoses, especially in rural areas.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | August 26, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $728,460 |
| NIH project number | 1U01CA292550-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10949739 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women in Uganda, particularly those living in rural and semi-urban areas who are at risk for breast cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside of Uganda or those who do not have access to primary care clinics may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a point-of-care diagnostic kit specifically designed for primary care clinics in Uganda to enhance early detection of breast cancer. The kit integrates an FDA-cleared automated AI-enabled whole breast ultrasound and a smartphone device that analyzes cytology samples and measures breast tumor biomarkers. The research involves validating the kit's effectiveness first in a U.S. clinical setting and then adapting it for use in Uganda, ensuring it meets local healthcare needs. The project aims to improve accessibility and accuracy of breast cancer diagnosis in rural and semi-urban areas.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce late-stage breast cancer diagnoses and improve survival rates among women in Uganda.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using AI-enabled diagnostic tools for cancer detection, indicating a promising approach for this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Scheel, John R — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Scheel, John R
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.