Houston PAP (Prevenir, Ayudar, Poder ) Project for Cervical Cancer Screening

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Houston PAP (Prevenir, Ayudar, Poder ) Project for Cervical Cancer Screening

Dr. Abigail Zamorano

The Harris County incidence of late-stage cervical cancer among Hispanic women is one of the highest in the state at 7.2/100,000 compared to the state-wide incidence of 5.8/100,000. This is likely due to poor access to preventative medical care, which can diagnose and treat precancer.  Women without access to routine medical care are usually diagnosed with cervical cancer at later stages (when symptoms develop), resulting in greater treatment costs and lower cure rates.

To meet the needs of this urban, underserved population, the Houston PAP (Prevenir, Ayudar, Poder) Project was established in 2018 at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston).   The project provides monthly, no-cost cervical cancer screening, education, and colposcopy and loop electrosurgical excision (LEEP) in partnership with two UT Physicians Multispecialty Clinics in underserved areas in Harris and Fort Bend counties.

The project is led by Dr. Abigail Zamorano, who serves as Medical Director, and is comprised of individuals with expertise in Gynecologic Oncology, community engagement and education, program implementation, patient navigation, and community resource navigation.