Dr. Jennifer Young and Dr. Gweneth Lazenby traveled to
Arusha, Tanzania May 31st - June 19th for the purpose of
completing an on-going study on Human Papillomavirus (HPV) as part of a
research team from the University of Virginia Cancer Center in Charlottesville,
Virginia. HPV is a virus which causes cervical, anal, and oral cancers.
The team saw a total of 324 women in a 10 day period at
Selian Lutheran Hospital outside of Arusha. Most patients were from rural areas surrounding Arusha, a
largely Masai tribal population. These
African women were seeking screening for cervical cancer, which is not
routinely available due to costs and lack of skilled technicians. The research
team studied a rapid HPV test, which may replace pap smears for cervical cancer
screening in developing nations. In addition to studying HPV, the team
collected samples to screen participating women for vaginal and sexually
transmitted infections (STIs). Vaginitis and STI’s can increase a woman’s risk
of HPV infection.
The data collected on HPV and other infections in these
women is currently being analyzed at the Medical University of South Carolina
and the University of Virginia. The results will be returned to the physicians
at the Arusha Lutheran Medical Center with recommendations for follow up and
treatment. The results of this study will also benefit women globally by
demonstrating the reliability, convenience, and accuracy of the rapid HPV test.
We hope that this may also effect future guidelines for cervical cancer
screening in the United States.
Dr. Young and Dr. Lazenby along with the Department of
Obstetrics and Gynecology hope to continue to provide quality research at MUSC
and abroad. They hope to combine their interests and expertise in gynecologic
cancer and infections in order to participate in future global health studies.