Cited by 24Cervical Cancer and HPV ResearchWomen's cancer prevention and managementReproductive tract infections research

Addressing global disparities in cervical cancer burden: a narrative review of emerging strategies

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Gopalkrishnan, Kalpana, Karim, Roksana·2025·Current HIV/AIDS Reports

Abstract

Purpose of Review: Cervical cancer burden is disproportionately higher in low to middle income countries, especially in countries with a high human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) burden. This review investigates barriers to implementation and assesses current progress in cervical cancer screening in lower resource settings by reviewing technologies and strategies that have already been implemented in low to middle income countries. Recent Findings: Several novel innovations embrace the recent World Health Organization (WHO) update to screening guidelines that recommends a “screen and treat” approach rather than a “screen, triage and treat” approach. Innovations include human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling, portable cervical visualization devices, and creative large-scale approaches to increase screening accessibility. Summary: Overall, a low-cost, accurate, point-of-care screening test could alleviate most of the barriers associated with cervical cancer screening in lower resource settings. Further research into the development of a low-cost HPV test in conjunction with the HPV vaccine and other screening tools could expedite progress.

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Gopalkrishnan, K., & Karim, R.
Affiliations
University of Southern California (US)
Corresponding author
Karim, Roksana
Venue
Current HIV/AIDS Reports
Published
2025-02-21
Volume
22
Issue
1
Pages
18-18
ISSN
  • 1548-3568 (ISSN-L)
  • 1548-3576
OpenAlex
W4407774481
Cited by
24
References
5
Citations by year
2026: 14 · 2025: 10
FWCI
3.69
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Current HIV/AIDS Reports (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
University of Southern California
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Cervical Cancer and HPV Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Women's cancer prevention and management
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Microbiology › Reproductive tract infections research
Keywords
cervical cancer, cervical cancer screening, low- and middle-income countries, HIV, HPV self-sampling, point-of-care testing, screen-and-treat, HPV vaccine, global health disparities
MeSH terms
Uterine Cervical Neoplasms, Developing Countries, Female, Humans, Mass Screening, Global Health, HIV Infections, Papillomavirus Infections, Papillomavirus Vaccines, Healthcare Disparities, Early Detection of Cancer

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