Advances in technologies for cervical cancer detection in low-resource settings

Kathryn A. Kundrod, Chelsey A. Smith, Brady Hunt, Richard A. Schwarz, Kathleen Schmeler, Rebecca Richards-Kortum

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: Cervical cancer mortality rates remain high in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and other medically underserved areas due to challenges with implementation and sustainability of routine screening, accurate diagnosis, and early treatment of preinvasive lesions. Areas covered: In this review, we first discuss the standard of care for cervical cancer screening and diagnosis in high- and low-resource settings, biomarkers that correlate to cervical precancer and cancer, and needs for new tests. We review technologies for screening and diagnosis with a focus on tests that are already in use in LMICs or have the potential to be adapted for use in LMICs. Finally, we provide perspectives on the next five years of technology development for improved cervical cancer screening and diagnosis in LMICs. Expert opinion: Innovation toward improved molecular and imaging tests is needed to enable effective, affordable see-and-treat approaches to detect and treat cervical precancer in a single visit. Current molecular tests remain too complex and/or costly for widespread use. Especially with imaging tests, decision support may improve performance of new technologies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)695-714
Number of pages20
JournalExpert Review of Molecular Diagnostics
Volume19
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019

Keywords

  • cervical cancer
  • low-resource settings
  • point-of-care diagnostics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine
  • Molecular Medicine
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

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