Improving breast and cervical cancer screening in resource-limited areas
Official title: Global Breast and Cervical Cancer Control: Implementing a Bundled Screening Approach in a Resource Limited Setting
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11053424 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working to make it easier for women in Sub-Saharan Africa to get checked for breast and cervical cancer by offering both screenings together in one visit, helping to catch these cancers early and improve health for those at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $192,780 |
| NIH project number | 1K08CA289935-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11053424 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women living in Sub-Saharan Africa who are at risk for breast and cervical cancers and have limited access to screening services.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk for breast or cervical cancer or those living in high-income countries may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance breast and cervical cancer screening in Sub-Saharan Africa by implementing a bundled approach that combines both screenings into a single service. The study focuses on optimizing the existing screening programs run by the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services, which are already effective but need better implementation strategies. By utilizing clinical breast exams and visual inspection with acetic acid, the research seeks to improve access to early detection and treatment for women at risk of these cancers. The goal is to reduce the number of late-stage diagnoses and improve overall health outcomes for women in these communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier detection of breast and cervical cancers, significantly improving survival rates and quality of life for women in resource-limited settings.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that bundled screening approaches can improve access and outcomes in cancer detection, indicating a promising avenue for this innovative strategy.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gutnik, Lily — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Gutnik, Lily
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Community and digital tools to reduce HPV and cervical cancer burden
A nurse or health team will test a community-based, digital strategy to help girls and young women, especially in rural areas, get HPV vaccination and cervical cancer prevention services.
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Community and digital tools to reduce HPV and cervical cancer in women with HIV
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mSaada: a mobile tool to boost cervical cancer screening in western Kenya
A mobile app helps community health volunteers manage cervical cancer screening tasks and follow-up for women in low-resource areas.
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Globally useful predictor for cervical cancer treatment response
This project aims to develop a simple predictive signature to personalize treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer using easy tests and imaging.
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HPV self-collection in HIV care to screen for cervical cancer in Ethiopia
A patient-centered program tests a simple HPV self-collection approach within HIV clinics in Ethiopia to help detect cervical cancer earlier.
-
Hybrid approach to boost cervical cancer screening in Uganda
A tested, community-driven program helps Ugandan women encourage their peers to get free VIA cervical cancer screening.
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.