Team PACT
There is a need in Ghana for alternative methods for cervical cancer testing that are effective, non-invasive, and accessible.
Mission
According to Dr. Asah-Opoku, our clinical advisor who works at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, “Cervical cancer is the commonest gynecological malignancy seen at the Korle Bu Teaching hospital, being reported to make up 64% of gynecological malignancies seen at the hospital.” In Accra, Ghana, only about 2.1% of women have ever had a pap smear. Our mission is to develop a method for cervical cancer screening that is effective, non-invasive, and cost-efficient. Our device accomplishes this by collecting urine to be screened for high-risk HPV strains.
Background
Our team formed in Fall 2021 with the goal of improving cervical cancer screening accessibility for people with disabilities in Detroit. As we worked with mentors and collaborators, we gained a deeper understanding of the barriers to screening in different settings and expanded our focus to Ghana through partnerships with local clinicians and researchers. Since then, we've been developing solutions that are shaped by the needs and feedback of the communities we work with.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Our project aims to improve access to cervical cancer screening by developing an affordable, point-of-care testing system designed for low-resource settings. The original prototype combines a urine collection device with PCR-based testing, but based on feedback from healthcare providers and community members in Ghana, our team is also working to develop a point-of-care microfluidic cartridge that can provide faster, more accessible results without the need for laboratory facilities. We also redesigned the urine collection device to accommodate a wider variety of toilet types, including pit and pan latrines, making it more practical for use in diverse settings.
Project Updates
Research & Development Subteam
Microfluidics Division
This year, the microfluidics division made significant progress in advancing our point-of-care screening approach. We continued laboratory testing and biomarker research to support the development of a faster and more accessible cervical cancer screening method.
Redesign Division
This year, the redesign division refined the urine collection device based on feedback from patients and clinicians. The updated design is compatible with a wider variety of toilet types, improves ease of use, and better reflects the needs of the communities we hope to serve.
Business Subteam
This year, the business division focused on pursuing funding opportunities through grants and pitch competitions. We also analyzed interview data from fieldwork, helped coordinate travel plans, and stayed connected with collaborators and faculty mentors to continue building our project.
Our Community Partner
Dr. Asah-Opoku: Head of the Reproductive and Family Planning Unit at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital
Osei Boateng: Founder OKB Hope Foundation
Dr. Yeety Enuameh: Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)
Travel Updates
Over Spring Break, three members of our team traveled to Ghana to conduct field research in partnership with collaborators at KNUST and the Ghana Health Service. They met with local healthcare leaders and interviewed 47 participants, including patients, support persons, and healthcare providers, across seven villages in Northern Asante. Early findings showed that affordability is the biggest challenge, with many participants saying the device would need to be free or very low cost. The interviews also highlighted the importance of education and support from cultural and religious leaders, and nearly all participants expressed support for introducing the device in rural communities.
Meet the Leads
-
Aishani Bajpai
Project Co-Lead, Public Health: 2028
-
Ach’sah Gubena
Project Co-Lead, Public Health: 2028
-
Myrna Stephan
R&D Subteam Microfluidics Division Co-Lead, Public Health: 2028
-
Evelyn Antony
R&D Subteam Microfluidics Division Co-Lead, Neuroscience: 2027
-
Wynne Byard
R&D Subteam Redesign Division Lead, Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology: 2028
-
Anika Hong
Business Subteam Lead, Industrial and Operations Engineering: 2028
Our Advisor
Dhanu Thiyag, MD, MPH
Obstetrics and gynecology, biomedical engineeringDr. Thiyag's global work focuses on female reproductive and sexual health, combining her biomedical engineering and OB-GYN backgrounds. Her research interests in health equity align with the Center’s theme of empowering women, strengthening systems for health, and developing technical solutions. She develops and implements devices, simulation models, and programs to improve women's health in low- and middle-income countries.