Costs and Cost Effectiveness of Alternatives for Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment

Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide. Most is caused by persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV). Recent research shows that HIV is a major risk factor for both HPV infection and progression to cervical cancer. In South Africa, where HIV prevalence is high, HPV infection and cervical cancer are significant public health challenges. Scarcity of service delivery capacity in rural communities and specialist services in urban communities limit access to cervical cancer screening and treatment. New models of service delivery and integration with existing HIV services are needed to expand access to these services. HE²RO’s work in this area includes conducting costing and cost effectiveness analyses comparing alternative approaches for screening, including sample collection, and treatment in traditional clinic-based and alternative settings such as mobile services.