Empilisweni Initiative to expand HPV screening and same-day treatment for cervical cancer
The Empilisweni Initiative - Advancing Implementation of Cervical Cancer Control
This project is working to bring easier HPV screening and immediate treatment to people with a cervix in South Africa and similar communities to prevent cervical cancer.
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-11146509 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I take part, local clinics will offer HPV-based testing and try to provide treatment in the same visit when needed, so fewer people fall through the cracks. The team is building on nearly 30 years of work in Khayelitsha and partnering with local health systems to make screening affordable, acceptable, and routine. They will test practical ways to train staff, cover costs, and reach communities so more people complete screening and treatment. Results will be used to scale up services across similar low- and middle-income settings.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with a cervix living in the participating communities—especially those in the age groups targeted for cervical screening—are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who live outside the program areas, those without a cervix (e.g., after hysterectomy for benign disease), or those already up-to-date with vaccination and screening may not directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, more people could get screened and treated promptly, which would substantially reduce cervical cancer cases and deaths in participating communities.
How similar studies have performed: Prior trials from the Khayelitsha program and other HPV screen-and-treat efforts have shown safety and effectiveness, but broad, sustainable implementation has not yet been achieved at scale.
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.