HPV by the numbers: HPV vaccination is an important part of cancer prevention.
Cervical Cancer Research
As one of the world's largest cancer research centers, MD Anderson is leading the investigation into new methods of cervical cancer prevention, detection and treatment. MD Anderson also offers cervical cancer expertise to community practitioners to impact patient care worldwide.
MD Anderson is leading cervical cancer research efforts to find cures for women with rare cervical cancers, such as small and large cell neuroendocrine tumors. Through a prospective, international tumor registry (NeCTuR), women with this disease are being recruited to participate in an effort to better understand this rare disease.
Research Initiatives for Cervical Cancer
Our commitment to cervical cancer research is echoed through two major initiatives:
Prevention and screening research efforts
Since cervical cancer is almost always preventable, MD Anderson is developing new screening and diagnostic tools for pre-invasive and early-stage disease. MD Anderson also shares prevention and detection knowledge and expertise with health care providers around the world.
MD Anderson was awarded $1.4 million from Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) to increase screening and preventative treatments for women in the Rio Grande Valley along the southern border of Texas, where the cervical cancer death rate is 30% higher than the rest of the state. Through this grant, women are being educated about the importance of getting screened. The grant also supports efforts to increase the number of health care practitioners trained to perform important preventative procedures on patients that have abnormal Pap test results.
Preventing cervical cancer through vaccination
Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, for which a safe and effective vaccine currently exists. MD Anderson is dedicated to preventing HPV-related cancers, such as cervical cancer, through education and awareness initiatives highlighting the importance of HPV vaccination.
To assist low-resource areas around the world in their efforts to prevent and control cervical cancer, MD Anderson has partnered with Rice University to develop new ways to screen and diagnose pre-cancerous lesions. The innovative devices under development, such as the high-resolution microendoscope (HRME), can be used in areas with limited health care infrastructure.
Through these efforts and other cutting-edge cervical cancer research, MD Anderson has:
- Discovered that minimally-invasive radical hysterectomy is associated with higher recurrence rates and worse overall survival, compared to abdominal radical hysterectomy
- Partnered with Rice University to develop new ways to screen and diagnose cervical cancer in low-resource settings
- Impacted standard of care treatment for early-stage cervical cancer using fertility-sparing procedures and conservative surgical approaches
- Initiated the Information Transfer Demonstration Project to educate health care providers and staff on the importance of HPV vaccination
- Mobilized cervical cancer survivors to become advocates for HPV vaccination and cancer screening through advocacy training and educational initiatives
- Contributed to global initiatives supporting the prevention and diagnosis of cervical cancer in low resource communities
- Impacted standard of care by leading the clinical trial that demonstrated chemotherapy in addition to radiation improves patient survival outcomes
News & Articles About Cervical Cancer Research
Patient outcomes after minimally-invasive surgery
Two MD Anderson studies discover that minimally-invasive radical hysterectomy is associated with higher recurrence rates and worse overall survival for cervical cancer patients.
MD Anderson designated first Project ECHO superhub
MD Anderson will collaborate with and train other academic cancer centers interested in using the telementoring ECHO model to improve patient access to high-quality care.
Joint Endorsement of HPV Vaccine Recommendations
MD Anderson and nation’s cancer centers renew the collaborative effort to raise awareness of the new recommendations and the importance of HPV vaccination.
Promoting Cervical Cancer Screening & Prevention
MD Anderson awarded with state funding for cancer research, prevention and product development programs benefiting underserved women along the Texas-Mexico border.
