New See-and-Treat Study for Cervical Cancer Prevention begins in Cajamarca, Peru
GWHT and HOPE Peru have initiated our first implementation studies on a see-and-treat program for cervical cancer prevention in Cajamarca (in the Andean mountains) of Peru. This region has one of the highest incidence rates of cervical cancer in Peru. The traditional 3-visit model of Pap smears (screening), standard colposcopy (diagnosis) and LEEP or Cryotherapy (treatment) is reduced to one visit through the implementation model we are evaluating.
In this model, screening for HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer is completed as a self-test. Midwives at local primary care clinics image the cervix of women who are HPV-positive with the Pocket colposcope. Abnormalities, as identified through remote physician guided diagnosis, are treated using thermal ablation during the same visit (see and treat model). Women with advanced disease are referred to a local hospital, for treatment.
More about this study:
Funded by USAID-DIV
Partnering with Dr. Patricia Garcia, University Cayetano Heredia in Lima, Peru
Expected enrollment: 4,000 women screened for HPV; 400 diagnosed and treated with Pocket Colposcopy and Thermal Ablation
Enrollment is ongoing through April 2023.
Listen to Dr. Patricia Garcia (University Cayetano Heredia) share about this implementation study and training in Peru for cervical cancer prevention.
You can learn more from the images and the captions below.
