Improving access to breast ultrasound services for timely breast cancer diagnoses in Rwanda
Official title: Implementation strategies to decentralize breast ultrasound services and facilitate timely breast cancer diagnoses in Rwanda
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11049941 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working to make breast ultrasound services more available in rural Rwanda by training local healthcare workers to perform the tests, so that women can get quicker and easier access to breast cancer diagnoses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $691,176 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA289548-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11049941 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women in Rwanda who are at risk for breast cancer or have palpable breast abnormalities.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are already receiving timely and effective breast cancer diagnostics or those outside of Rwanda may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to decentralize breast ultrasound services in Rwanda to improve timely diagnoses of breast cancer, particularly in low-income rural areas. By training non-radiologist clinicians to perform breast ultrasounds, the project seeks to enhance access to essential diagnostic services that are currently limited by a shortage of radiologists. The approach includes supportive supervision to ensure quality care and effective implementation of these services at district hospitals. This initiative is crucial for addressing the rising rates of breast cancer and improving survival rates in sub-Saharan Africa.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve early detection of breast cancer, leading to better survival outcomes for patients in Rwanda.
How similar studies have gone: Similar approaches to decentralizing healthcare services have shown success in improving access and outcomes in other low- and middle-income countries.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pace, Lydia — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Pace, Lydia
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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.