Cervical Cancer Prevention Program
Screening, vaccinations, and education are critical to reducing cervical cancer.
We work with providers and local partners to expand access, particularly in underserved areas, and promote equity in women's health.
Our cervical cancer prevention initiative emphasizes regular Pap tests, HPV vaccination, and community education to detect and prevent disease early.
The WVU Cancer Institute is part of a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-funded research study aimed at preventing cervical cancer in at-risk Appalachian families from West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, and Virginia.
The WVU Cancer Institute and partnering universities — Ohio State University (the lead institution), the University of Kentucky, and the University of Virginia — target the primary causes of cervical cancer by implementing a prevention program at federally qualified health centers and clinics, which provides:
- Cervical cancer screening
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among patients ages 11 to 26
- Smoking cessation counseling
This NCI research study, called Take Care, is funded by an $11 million National Cancer Institute grant and tests the effectiveness of this integrated cervical cancer prevention program.