Improving cervical cancer screening and treatment in low-resource settings
Official title: POINT of CARE: PrOviding an Innovative New Triage and Treatment strategy for Cervical cAncer scReening Efficiency
Funded at Basic Health International, INC. · NIH-10980567 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new, easy-to-use device that helps detect and treat cervical cancer, especially in places where healthcare resources are limited, so that women can get better and faster care for cervical precancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Basic Health International, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $481,280 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA285369-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10980567 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women in low- and middle-income countries who are at risk for cervical precancer due to HPV infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk for cervical precancer or those living in high-resource settings may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance cervical cancer screening and treatment by developing a portable, battery-operated thermal ablation device that includes an endocervical probe. The study focuses on low- and middle-income countries where cervical cancer is prevalent but resources are limited. By integrating machine learning algorithms, the device will improve the accuracy and effectiveness of cervical cancer treatments. Patients will benefit from a more accessible and efficient method of receiving care for cervical precancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce cervical cancer rates in low-resource settings by providing effective and accessible treatment options.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success with similar thermal ablation techniques, but this approach is innovative due to the integration of portable technology and machine learning.
Where this research is happening
-
Basic Health International, INC.
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Masch, Rachel — Basic Health International, INC.
- Study coordinator: Masch, Rachel
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
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.
-
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.
-
HOPE-inG: Increasing cervical cancer screening for women with HIV in Ghana
A study tests a home-based HPV self-sampling approach plus a tailored communication plan to help women living with HIV in Ghana get screened more often for cervical cancer.
-
CODA-based cervical cancer screening for LMICs using CRISPR and fluorescence
A low-resource, rapid test called CODA uses CRISPR and light signals to detect cervical cancer markers in women in sub-Saharan Africa to improve screening.
-
CODA-based cervical cancer screening in low-resource settings
A new, quick, low-cost test using CRISPR and fluorescence readouts to help screen for cervical cancer in women in sub-Saharan Africa.
-
CATSystem: a digital tool to boost cervical cancer screening and follow-up in Kenya
A digital tracking system helps doctors and patients in Kenya improve cervical cancer screening, treatment referrals, and follow-up, especially for women living with HIV.
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.