Improving Screening — Dr. Howard Strickler has received a $2.4 million grant over four years from the National Cancer Institute to identify molecular methods for improving cervical cancer screening in HIV-positive women. These women a have an increased incidence of cervical pre-cancer and cancer and, at each doctor visit, nearly one-third of them experience abnormal Pap tests (the screening tool used to detect these conditions). Because many abnormal Pap tests are false positive, leading to unnecessary follow-up procedures that are costly and unpleasant to undergo, Dr. Strickler’s study will assess whether new molecular screening methods can provide more accurate results among this patient population. Improving accuracy of cervical cancer screening tests through the use of these molecular assays, either alone or in combination with Pap tests, could possibly improve clinical care for women with HIV, while reducing the burden on patients and the health care system. In addition, a related study by Dr. Strickler and colleagues published last year in the Journal of the American Medical Association was picked recently by the Epidemiology & Genomics Research Program of the NCI as a “Research Highlight.” Dr. Strickler is a Harold and Muriel Block Chair in Epidemiology & Population Health, as well as professor of epidemiology & population health.
Posted on: Wednesday, July 17, 2013