A Novel, Low-Cost, Handheld, 3D Imaging System for Improved Screening of Cervical Neoplasia in Resource Limited Settings

Abstract
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable and treatable forms of cancer, reflected by the fact that its
incidence has significantly fallen in most of the developed world over the past 30 years, largely due to effective
screening and treatment programs. In developing countries and also in socio-economic disadvantaged areas
of developed countries, many women lack convenient access to affordable and high-quality programs to save
their lives. Currently, more than a million women worldwide have cervical cancer. Most of these women do not
have access to diagnoses and treatments that could cure them or prolong their lives. In 2012, >500,000 new
cases of cervical cancer were diagnosed worldwide, and >250,000 of these women died of the disease --
nearly 90% in low- to middle-income countries. Deaths due to cervical cancer are projected to rise by almost
25% over the next 10 years without proper interventions. New technological developments offer the potential to
make comprehensive cervical cancer care feasible and affordable in low- and middle-income countries, and to
mitigate the skyrocketing healthcare costs in the developed world. In response, we have recently developed
(through support from an NSF-SBIR and NIH-SBIR award) a portable, low-cost, simple-to-use, telemedicine-
and patient-friendly innovative imaging system that can help advance toward the screen-and-treat strategy for
cervical cancer prevention advocated by the World Health Organization. In this phase II study, we will establish
feasibility of our screening protocols through a multisite international study and advance the overall technology.

Grant Number: 5R44CA254586-03
NIH Institute/Center: NIH
Principal Investigator: Joseph Carson