UneAIforCC

AI4CC

Diagnostic tool
(Artificial Intelligence for Cervical Cancer Screening)

Improving cervical cancer screening through the combined action of a PCR test and Artificial Intelligence
Quick access
The project

In brief

Cervical cancer is a global public health emergency, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where over 90% of deaths occur. Yet, it is a preventable disease through effective prevention measures: vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV), early screening, and treatment of precancerous lesions. However, in many of the settings where MSF operates, these tools remain largely inaccessible.

To address this inequality in access to care, the MSF Foundation, in partnership with MSF and Epicentre, has launched a project to transform cervical cancer screening by joining the international PAVE (Papillomavirus and Automated Visual Evaluation) study, coordinated by the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI).

This project is based on a dual innovation:

  • A simplified, more affordable and accessible HPV test
  • An artificial intelligence (AI) tool capable of analyzing cervical images and automatically detecting precancerous lesions

The PAVE study involves 50,000 women across nine countries, including Malawi, where the MSF Foundation coordinated an initial clinical study involving 6,000 women. Results are expected in 2025.

Beyond the research itself, the ambition of the AI4CC (Artificial Intelligence for Cervical Cancer) project is to sustainably integrate these innovations into frontline healthcare practices, in order to improve access to screening and reduce cervical cancer mortality.

 

Status of the project

  • Problem analysis
  • Development
  • Evaluation
  • Deployment
  • Capitalization and feedback

IDENTIFICATION OF THE NEED

Cervical cancer is currently one of the deadliest cancers among women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), despite the availability of preventive solutions.
The main barriers to early detection include:

  • The cost and logistical complexity of the HPV vaccine (which requires multiple doses),
  • Limited access to effective screening tests,
  • The inconsistent quality of visual cervical exams (VIA), which are often unreliable and highly dependent on the provider’s experience,
  • Lack of access to curative treatment when diagnosis occurs too late.

MSF teams face these challenges directly in the field—particularly in Malawi, where each year around 4,000 women develop cervical cancer, and nearly 3,000 die from it.

THE MSF FOUNDATION’S RESPONSE

To address this urgent need, the MSF Foundation, in collaboration with MSF and Epicentre, joined the PAVE study consortium, led by the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI), which is exploring an innovative screening strategy tailored to low-resource settings.

This approach is based on two complementary steps:

  • A simplified, low-cost HPV test that can be performed in health centers
  • An open-source AI tool that automatically interprets cervical images taken during VIA exams, to support clinical decision-making

In Malawi, the MSF Foundation tested the first part of this approach (the simplified HPV test) through a clinical study conducted between 2023 and 2024 in Blantyre, in collaboration with the local MSF program teams.

6,000 women were enrolled. The results are currently being analyzed by the NCI.

A LONG-TERM COMMITMENT

The MSF Foundation is continuing its efforts in 2025, working to make this change in practice sustainable.

It is focusing on several key areas:

  • Integrating the simplified HPV test into routine activities within the MSF project in Blantyre, Malawi
  • Launching additional research components, including:
  • The effectiveness of treatment in women living with HIV
  • A specific HPV strain (HPV 35), which may be more oncogenic and more prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, but is not yet included in the current vaccine
  • Preparing for Phase 2 of the PAVE study, which will evaluate the integration of AI into routine care, through healthcare worker training and assessments of its acceptability and operational feasibility

The overall goal is to make cervical cancer screening more reliable and accessible, with a direct impact on reducing mortality and improving the quality of life for women.

Video

AI4CC (Artificial Intelligence for Cervical Cancer Screening) what is it ?

News

In detail

A Solvable but Forgotten Epidemic

Cervical cancer is caused in 95% of cases by a persistent infection with certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). In high-income countries, widespread vaccination and regular screening have significantly reduced the incidence of the disease. But in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), access to prevention remains extremely limited.

In Malawi, cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death among women. According to 2020 data (WCRF), the country recorded 4,145 new cases and 2,905 deaths.

Since 2018, MSF has established a structured program in Blantyre, based at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, to provide:

  • VIA-based cervical screening
  • Treatment of precancerous lesions (thermal ablation)
  • Specialized surgery for early-stage cancers
  • Palliative care for advanced cases
A day at Blantyre cervical cancer referral hospital

THE PAVE STUDY: A UNIQUE INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION

The PAVE study consortium, coordinated by the NCI, brings together medical and research institutions from around the world operating in nine countries: Brazil, Nigeria, El Salvador, Tanzania, Malawi, Eswatini, Cambodia, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic. The study involves a total of 50,000 women and aims to test a new cervical cancer screening approach on cohorts representative of the diverse LMIC contexts.

The objectives are to:

  • Validate the performance of a next-generation HPV test;
  • Evaluate an AI algorithm capable of assisting healthcare providers in interpreting VIA images by automating a task currently prone to human error;
  • Pave the way for open-source integration of this technology into local health systems.
A day at Blantyre cervical cancer referral hospital
En janvier 2021, des groupes de soutien ont été créés, un espace où les femmes peuvent partager leurs expériences personnelles de la maladie.

THE CENTRAL ROLE OF THE MSF FOUNDATION

Within this consortium, the MSF Foundation undertakes several key responsibilities:

  • Operational coordination of the study in Malawi (6,000 women);
  • Funding of additional studies focused on the most vulnerable populations;
  • Supporting MSF teams and local health authorities to ensure the sustainable adoption of the developed tools;
  • Preparing for the phase of integrating AI into routine clinical practice.

This project, at the intersection of research, medicine, and technological innovation, reflects the MSF Foundation’s commitment to developing concrete, sustainable, and accessible solutions to serve the most vulnerable patients.

timeline AI4CC ENG
Who's involved?

Our partners

  • Epicentre Logo
  • NCILogo
  • MohMalawi
  • logo EHAS

    La Fondation EHAS (Enlace Hispano Americano de Salud) est une ONG de coopération internationale et de recherche pour le développement dont l'objectif est de promouvoir l'utilisation appropriée des nouvelles technologies de l'information et de la communication (TIC) pour améliorer les systèmes de santé des zones rurales.

  • Palladium Diagnostics
  • Histologics
  • Liger medical

    Liger Medical se concentre sur la fourniture d'équipements médicaux de pointe et de solutions pour la prévention et le traitement du cancer du col de l'utérus.

  • atila biosystems

The Team

  • Pauline Choné
    Pauline Choné
    Program Manager La Fondation MSF
  • Federica Inturrisi
    Federica Inturrisi
    Epidemiologist La Fondation MSF
  • PictoEquipe
    Mark Schiffman
    PAVE Principal Investigator (consortium level) National Cancer Institut
  • Silvia de Sanjosé
    Silvia de Sanjosé
    PAVE co-Principal Investigator (consortium level) National Cancer Institut
  • GeorgeAi4CC
    Dr George Kassim Chilinda
    PAVE-MSF co-principal investigator / Onco-surgeon MSF Malawi Mission
  • PictoEquipe
    Huiwi Chen
    Epidemiologiste Epicentre
  • PictoEquipe
    Dr Tiphaine de Foucher
    Département médical MSF
  • PictoEquipe
    Alice Authier
    Département médical MSF
  • Christopher Mambula
    Dr Christopher Mambula
    Medical Manager
  • PictoEquipe
    Isabel Amoros Quiles
    Département des opérations MSF
Discover

our other projects

  • Quelqu'un manipule une tablette avec le dispositif

    Alert-Epidemics

    Alerte-Epidemics is a system for processing and notifying alerts to detect and respond to outbreaks of infectious diseases, including measles, meningitis, cholera, and COVID-19, in fragile settings.

    The project was implemented between 2020 and 2024.

  • Mini-Lab

    Mini-Lab

    The purpose of the Mini-Lab project is to design and produce a small-scale, autonomous, transportable clinical bacteriology laboratory which is affordable and above all suited to the MSF’s fields of intervention. This concept, developed by MSF with its partners, is also intended to be made available to health care operators in countries with limited resources. The Mini-Lab project hosted by MSF has been able to benefit from other funding mechanisms and the Foundation has been able to redirect its funding to other emerging initiatives. 

  • SmsAfyayetu

    SMS AFYA-YETU

    A program designed to enable people living with a chronic disease, particularly those with medical or social vulnerabilities, to quickly identify and report problems that could lead to a lack of follow-up in their treatment or a deterioration of their state of health. 

  • ImageUne3D

    3D Program

    The use of 3D technology makes it possible for the best experts to remotely design upper limb prostheses and compression orthoses using digital impressions of face and neck burns of patients treated by MSF in Jordan, Haiti, and Gaza.

  • UneDiatropix

    RDTs : Measles and meningitis

    DiaTROPIX is a new platform for the development and production of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) at the Institut Pasteur in Dakar. This non-profit initiative aims to produce new rapid diagnostic tests that can be made available in countries where access to laboratory diagnosis is low or non-existent. 
    The MSF Foundation is financing and supporting the development by DiaTROPIX of two new RDTs for measles and meningitis. These two diseases with high epidemic potential represent a real public health problem in countries in which MSF conducts medical programmes, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

  • UneEN_Reeduc

    Developing rehabiliation care

    Physiotherapy has been part of MSF activities for years, mostly regarding trauma and burns. The MSF Foundation launched in 2017 the 3D printing project and advance practice in rehabilitation for burn faces and upper limb prosthetics. In coordination with ops and medical team in MSF, the MSF Foundation will develop new activities and  support initiatives from the field to better integrate physiotherapy in our offer of care, especially regarding pediatrics, women health and burn rehabilitation.

  • ImageUneAntibiogoGde

    Antibiogo

    Antibiogo is a diagnostic aid medical device that aims to help doctors prescribe the most effective antibiotics to their patients. It is available as a free, open source and offline Android application. It allows non-expert laboratory technicians to measure and interpret antibiograms. It provides accurate results that can also be used for monitoring purposes and updating empirical treatments based on actual etiology.