The purpose of the CASCADE-3002 project is to improve access to cervical cancer screening among women with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) receiving care at U.S.-based CASCADE clinical sites. This study will assess the cervical cancer screening cascade and identify multilevel factors that impede access to screening among women with HIV attending Infectious Disease clinics in Georgia and Maryland. In parallel, the study will explore and develop implementation strategies for human papillomavirus (HPV) self-collection to increase screening uptake, adherence, and appropriate clinical follow-up in this population at elevated risk for cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer remains a preventable malignancy; however, women with HIV are at substantially increased risk and experience higher rates of cervical cancer compared with women without HIV. The World Health Organization has called for the global elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem, defined as fewer than 4 incident cases per 100,000 women annually, with targets for vaccination, screening, and treatment coverage. Although the United States has the tools to approach near-elimination, disparities in healthcare access and screening persist, particularly among women with HIV.