Globalization & Cancer
Cancer doesn’t have borders, and neither do global research efforts at the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center. The Globalization and Cancer Initiative develops sustainable international partnerships to address global health issues related to cancer health disparities. UAB investigators collaborate with scientists across the world to pursue bidirectional cancer research partnerships, sharing lessons learned in the U.S. to other countries and bringing home knowledge gained by others across the world.
Contact the Associate Director for Globalization and Cancer – Dr. Isabel Scarinci 205-975-7177
scarinci@uab.edu
Where we work:
O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers collaborate with Brazilian investigators in two lines of research: innovative approaches to cervical cancer prevention and control and gender-relevant tobacco control.
Self-Collection and HPV Testing in Unscreened Women: A Feasibility Study in Brazil
Investigators: Isabel Scarinci and Edward Partridge from UAB; Marcia Consolaro, Sandra Pelloso and Vania Sella from University Estadual de Maringá; Nadia Kienen from University Estadual de Londrina; Phillip Castle from Albert Einstein College of Medicine
The purpose of this study was to compare three cancer screening modalities: self-collection and HPV testing, Pap testing at a public health clinic, and choice between self-collection and HPV testing and Pap testing. Sponsored by the National Cancer Institute and Brazilian Health Ministry.
Relevant Publications:
Castle, P.E., Silva, V.R.S., Consolaro, M.E.L., Kienen, N., Bittencourt, L., Pelloso, S.M., Partridge, E.E., Pierz, A., Dartibale, C.B., Uchimura, N.S., Scarinci IC. (2019). Participation in Cervical Screening by Self-collection, Pap, or a Choice of Either in Brazil. Cancer Prev Res. 12(3):159-170.
Kienen, N., Bittencourt, L., Pelloso, S.M., Consolaro, M.E., Castle, P.E., Partridge, E.E., Silva, N.R., Scarinci, I. C. (2018). Cervical cancer screening among underscreened and unscreened Brazilian women: training Community Health Workers to be Agents of Change. Prog Community Health Partnersh, 12: 111-119.
Prevalence and Genotype Distribution of Cervical and Oral HPV Infection in HIV-positive Brazilian Women
Investigators: Isabel Scarinci, Warner Huh and Ricardo Franco from UAB; Marcia Consolaro, Sandra Pelloso and Vania Sella from University Estadual de Maringá
The purpose of this study was two-fold: to determine the prevalence of HPV infections in oral and cervical mucosa of HIV-positive women and matched HIV-negative controls in the Southern region of Brazil and to determine HPV genotype concordance in oral and cervical mucosa with and without precancerous and cancerous lesions of the cervix and oropharynx. Sponsored by the National Cancer Institute.
Gender-Relevant Tobacco Control
Investigators: Isabel Scarinci from UAB; Nadia Kienen from University Estadual de Londrina; Regina Cruz and Ana C. Efing from Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná; Sharina Person from University of Massachusetts
This an ongoing effort for over 10 years to establish academic and community capacity for gender-relevant tobacco control research in Brazil. Sponsored by the Fogarty International Center.
Relevant Publications:
Cruz, R.C., Person, S.D., Bittencourt, L., Efing, A.C., Scarinci, I.C. (2018). Development and Evaluation of a Capacity Building Program in Gender-Relevant Tobacco Control Research: A Brazilian Experience. Evaluation & Program Planning, 68:1-6.
Bittencourt, L., Person, S.D., Cruz, R.C., Scarinci, I.C. (2013) Pictorial health warnings on cigarette packs and the impact on women. Revista Brasileira de Saúde Pública, 47(6):1123-9.
Bittencourt, L., Scarinci, I.C. (2014) Is there a role for Community Health Workers in tobacco cessation? Perceptions of Administrators and Health Care Professionals. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 16(5):626-631.
Researchers work in Colombia to promote research and capacity building in gender-relevant tobacco control.
Gender-Relevant Tobacco Control
Investigators: Isabel Scarinci from UAB; Isabel Garcés-Palacio from Universidad de Antioquia
This study focuses on the establishment of academic and community capacity for gender-relevant tobacco control research in Colombia. Sponsored by the Fogarty International Center.
Researchers work in Chile to understand gastric cancer prevention.
Role of Gastric Microbiota in Protecting Children from Precancerous Inflammation in H. Pylori Infections
Investigators: Phillip Smith from UAB; Paul Harris from Pontifical Catholic University of Chile
This study seeks to elucidate the role of the microbiota in the suppressed gastric inflammatory response to H. pylori in children compared with adults. Sponsored by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
Researchers work in Egypt to understand colorectal cancer prevention and control.
Transdisciplinary Collaborative Center for Colorectal Cancer Research
Sponsor: United States Agency for International Development. This study is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of the Transdisciplinary Collaborative Center of Colorectal Cancer Research and not necessarily reflects the views of USAID or the United States Government. 2016-2019
Investigators: Mona Fouad, Isabel Scarinci, James Shikany, Upender Manne and Laura Rogers from UAB; Waleed Arafat, Abbas Omar, Salah Abdelmoneim and Doaa Genena from University of Alexandria
Researchers work in Sri Lanka to promote cervical cancer prevention and control.
Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control
UAB Team Members: Isabel Scarinci, Edward Partridge from UAB
This is a collaborative effort between the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, Rotary Club of Birmingham, Rotary Club of Colombo, and Sri Lanka Ministry Health with the goal of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem in Sri Lanka.
Researchers work in Nepal to evaluate HPV and related cancer screening outcomes and awareness among various groups.
HPV and related Cancer Screening
Investigators: Sadeep Shrestha from UAB; Nema Lhaki from the Nepal Fertility Care Center
This study seeks to establish a HPV genotyping laboratory and infrastructure in Nepal. Sponsored by the seed fund from Quatelet Professorship Endowment.
Awareness and understanding of human papillomavirus and its association with cancer risk among medical and nursing students and professionals in Nepal
Investigators: Sadeep Shrestha and Pauline Jolly from UAB; Nema Lhaki from Nepal Fertility Care Center
The purpose of this study is to develop and conduct survey regarding the knowledge and awareness of HPV-related cancers, including cervical, head and neck, penile, anal, vulvar and vaginal. Sponsored by the Minority Health International Research Training (MHIRT) Program.
Evaluation of HPV screening outcomes in Solukhumbu district
Investigators: Sadeep Shrestha from UAB; Patricia Vuichard from Lukla Hospital; Nema Lhaki from Nepal Fertility Care Center
This study focuses on screening and identifying all women between the ages of 30-60 years for HPV living in the district. Sponsored by the Foundation Nicole Niquille.
Using Mobile Health (mHealth) Technologies to Ensure Continuum of Care in Cervical Cancer Screening in the Kailali District of Nepal
Investigators: Sadeep Shrestha from UAB; Sarita Ghimire and Nema Lhaki from Nepal Fertility Care Center
This study seeks to develop a user-friendly mHealth methodology to inform and implement mobile phone text messaging systems to register, make referrals based on results and follow up on referral visits. Sponsored by Conquer Cancer, the American Society of Clinical Oncology Foundation.