AI-supported screening strategy could improve cervical cancer detection in low-resource settings
Combining HPV testing with artificial intelligence–based image analysis has shown efficacy in detecting precancerous lesions and guiding treatment decisions, according to a study led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal). The research, conducted within the HPV-Automated Visual Evaluation (PAVE) Consortium across nine countries, has been published in The Lancet Obstetrics,…
A study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) has demonstrated the effectiveness of integrating HPV testing with artificial intelligence (AI)-based image analysis in detecting precancerous cervical lesions in low-resource settings. Published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Women's Health, the research evaluated a screening strategy that combines self-collected HPV testing, extended genotyping, and automated visual evaluation of cervical images.
Conducted in nine countries, the study screened over 49,000 women aged 25 to 49 years between 2022 and 2025. The findings reveal that more than one in four women tested positive for HPV, with the risk of severe precancerous lesions (CIN3+) increasing based on both HPV type and the severity of abnormalities identified by the AI algorithm.
HPV16, the most carcinogenic type, showed the highest risk when combined with severe AI-detected abnormalities. The approach enables risk-based management, facilitating same-day screening, triage, and treatment—crucial in settings where follow-up visits are challenging. The study underscores the importance of effective screening in populations without vaccination benefits, contributing to global efforts to reduce cervical cancer incidence and mortality.
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