Using social media influencers to boost anal cancer prevention
Official title: Leveraging Social Media Influencers to Improve Anal Cancer Prevention
Funded at Temple Univ of the Commonwealth · NIH-11374002 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-friendly plan to use trusted online voices to raise awareness and promote screening for anal cancer in high‑risk groups.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Temple Univ of the Commonwealth NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $407,543 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA302024-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11374002 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults at higher risk for anal cancer who use social media and are reachable through online influencers.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not engaged with the targeted communities or who do not use social media may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to partner with trained online influencers to spread messages about anal cancer prevention, using a peer-led approach grounded in established behavior-change models. It will involve designing training materials with community input and testing a social media campaign to see if it increases awareness and steps toward prevention like screening. A mixed-methods evaluation will look at feasibility, acceptability, and short-term changes in knowledge and intentions among high‑risk populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the campaign could improve awareness and uptake of anal cancer screening among people at higher risk, potentially catching cancer earlier.
How similar studies have gone: Previous influencer-led health campaigns have shown promise in behavior change and outreach to underserved populations, though this exact approach for anal cancer prevention is new.
Where this research is happening
-
Temple Univ of the Commonwealth
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wheldon, Christopher W. — Temple Univ of the Commonwealth
- Study coordinator: Wheldon, Christopher W.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Integrated approach to preventing anal cancer in HIV+ MSM through screening and treatment of HSIL
This project tests a streamlined plan to prevent anal cancer in people living with HIV by screening for HSIL and treating it at clinics serving MSM.
-
Preventing anal cancer in people living with HIV
A topical form of HIV protease inhibitors is being tried to clear precancerous anal changes in people living with HIV.
-
Screening strategies to find anal cancer precursors in high-risk people
Researchers will study markers from DNA methylation and immune signals to better identify people at risk for anal cancer before it develops.
-
Integrated approach to preventing anal cancer in HIV-positive MSM through HSIL screening and treatment
This project tests a proven HSIL screening-and-treatment approach to prevent anal cancer in men living with HIV, using Ghana/Nigeria-based sites to learn how to implement it broadly.
-
Better screening for anal cancer in people at higher risk
This project looks for biological and immune signals that could spot early precancerous changes in people at high risk for anal cancer.
-
Screen-and-treat program to prevent anal cancer in people with HIV
This project offers regular anal screening and treatment to men who have sex with men living with HIV to lower their risk of anal cancer.
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.