Empilisweni Initiative — Making cervical cancer screening and same-day treatment easier to get
The Empilisweni Initiative - Advancing Implementation of Cervical Cancer Control
This project aims to bring HPV screening and same-day treatment to people at risk of cervical cancer in South Africa and similar communities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11404748 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I live in a participating community, the project will help local clinics offer HPV-based screening and immediate treatment for pre-cancerous changes. Researchers from Columbia and the University of Cape Town will adapt proven screen-and-treat methods, train clinic staff, and work with community partners to make services practical and affordable. They will collect information on who gets screened and treated, how well the approach works in real clinics, and what it costs. The work builds on decades of research in Khayelitsha and follows WHO guidance to scale up prevention in low- and middle-income settings.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with a cervix who are eligible for cervical cancer screening at participating clinics—typically adolescents and adults in recommended screening age ranges—are the intended candidates.
Not a fit: People outside the project areas, those not eligible for screening by age or guidelines, or those already needing advanced cancer treatment may not get direct benefit from this initiative.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, more people could get timely screening and same-day treatment, preventing cancers and saving lives.
How similar studies have performed: Previous trials from the Khayelitsha program and other studies have shown HPV-based screen-and-treat is safe and effective, though broader implementation in routine care remains limited.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Castor, Delivette — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Castor, Delivette
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.