The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston) has been awarded a $1.5 million grant by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). This funding aims to improve follow-up care after cervical cancer screenings, particularly for Hispanic women in Harris County, where late-stage cervical cancer rates are notably high despite a 74% screening rate.
Dr. Abigail S. Zamorano, principal investigator of the grant and a gynecologic oncologist with UT Physicians, emphasized the importance of managing abnormal screening results. “Screening for cancer is only as good as the subsequent management,” she stated.
Since 2018, the Houston PAP Project has provided comprehensive services including screening, diagnosis, and treatment through colposcopy and LEEP procedures. The new grant will enable an expansion of these services to other clinics in underserved areas around Harris County.
“We want to be a destination for patients with abnormal cervical cancer screenings,” Zamorano added. The project also plans to use peer advocates like Juana Espino, a cervical cancer survivor and clinic coordinator, to educate and support patients. Espino's efforts have been praised by Yen-Chi Le, PhD, co-investigator of the grant.
“Juana goes to community centers, grocery stores, libraries, and churches to meet the women who are busy with daily life and may not be prioritizing their health,” said Le.
This is the first CPRIT grant received by UTHealth Houston's Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences and Division of Gynecologic Oncology. Zamorano expressed excitement about developing peer advocate models that could be used statewide or nationally.
“I’m excited about developing the use of peer advocates and a model that other organizations could use around the state or country,” Zamorano said.
