Affordable cervical cancer screening and care for women with HIV in Mozambique, Brazil, and Texas
The AVANÇO Research Consortium: A Mozambique/Brazil/Texas Alliance to advance novel and affordable technologies for the prevention and diagnosis of cervical cancer in women living with HIV
Testing low-cost ways to screen, diagnose, and treat cervical cancer for women living with HIV in Mozambique, Brazil, and Texas.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11180518 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I am a woman living with HIV, this consortium works with hospitals and clinics in Mozambique, Brazil, and Texas to bring simpler, cheaper ways to detect and treat cervical cancer. The team combines engineers, doctors, pathologists, and behavioral scientists to develop and pilot new screening tools, diagnostic methods, and care pathways that can be used in low-resource settings. They will build sustainable local research and clinical capacity, train staff, and run multi-site projects across the three countries. Results will guide practical steps to make screening and follow-up more accessible for women like me.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are women living with HIV who are eligible for cervical cancer screening and who receive care at participating sites in Mozambique, Brazil, or Texas.
Not a fit: People without HIV, men, or women who live outside the participating regions and sites are unlikely to be eligible or benefit directly from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could make it easier and cheaper for women with HIV to get timely cervical cancer screening and treatment, reducing advanced disease and deaths.
How similar studies have performed: Existing methods like HPV testing and visual inspection have helped detect cervical disease, but combining novel low-cost technologies and cross-country implementation in this way is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schmeler, Kathleen — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Schmeler, Kathleen
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 below.