In Peru, cervical cancer is the leading cancer among women, killing one woman every 5 hours. The human papillomavirus (HPV) has been identified as the causal agent of cervical cancer. Project ‘HOPE Peru: Women helping women fight cervical cancer’ aims to create the first Peruvian public health social enterprise aiming to improve access to healthcare technologies for communities with the involvement of community women. HOPE´s first project will be to seek to market the HPV self-testing (CareHPV®) to get commitment and promote a culture of cervical cancer prevention. The tests will be sold to high income women to create a sustainable platform to offer free testing to women with less resources, involving training of community women (‘HOPE ladies’). The project is based in four key pillars: (1) the use of molecular HPV tests for screening, with better sensitivity than PAP tests and at a relatively low cost; (2) the use of self-collected vaginal samples, which offers an opportunity to increase screening coverage; (3) community women teaching other women about cervical cancer and how to apply the HPV test; and (4) use of technology with the development of an informatics platform for the follow up of the distribution of molecular HPV screening tests, results, follow-up of women screened and the transmission of reminders through text messages (SMS) for clinic visits to women and an internet information platform and hot-line. The HPV test can be self-administered by women in the comfort and privacy of their own homes. Depending on the case the test could be pick-up from their houses or could be deposited in collection boxes located in commercial places (pharmacies, stores) opened 24/7. The samples are tested at a central lab and the results of the test are received within a week via SMS, with appropriate referrals for treatment as needed.

Disclosure No significant relationships.