Community screening of cervical cancer in slum areas of coastal Tamil Nadu with self-sampling device and on spot DNA detection device
Principal Investigator
Prof. Rayala Suresh Kumar
Objective
- This project aims to address the critical issue of cervical cancer in coastal Tamil Nadu's slum areas, where awareness and access to screening programs are limited. The objectives include enrolling women from these communities into screening camps, determining the incidence of cervical cancer, and validating self-sampling and DNA detection devices in a large-scale field study. Early detection of high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) in cervical scrapes using these devices could save lives during the early stages of the disease.
Description
- Assemble a self-sampling kit for HR-HPV detection., Develop a protocol for detecting HR-HPV in cervical scrapes during community screening., Create an indigenous DNA detection device for reliable and specific results., Conduct a community-based cross-sectional screening of 2000 women aged 20-65 in coastal Tamil Nadu's slum areas., Address low awareness and societal taboos associated with cervical cancer screening., Investigate the incidence of cervical cancer in underprivileged communities., Correlate existing technologies with individual prototypes for community use.
Impact
- This project holds the potential to make a significant impact on the fight against cervical cancer in coastal Tamil Nadu's slum areas. By bringing cervical cancer screening to the doorstep of underprivileged women, it aims to increase early detection rates and save lives during the critical window period. Additionally, the project will contribute to reducing societal taboos and improving awareness about the importance of screening, ultimately leading to better healthcare outcomes for women in these communities.