A clinical trial led by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is exploring the use of an artificial intelligence (AI)-based chatbot to improve participation in cervical cancer screening programs. The study, highlighted in Nature Medicine as one of the key clinical trials to watch in 2025, focuses on increasing screening rates among women with lower education levels and those from disadvantaged areas.
The trial utilizes a web-based tool featuring a multi-language decision aid accessible via a smartphone chatbot. This chatbot is designed to guide women through the process of at-home self-sampling tests for human papillomavirus (HPV), a primary cause of cervical cancer. The tool's development involved close collaboration with both the target populations of women and healthcare professionals to ensure its relevance and usability.
The ongoing randomized controlled trial is slated to conclude in 2025. Its primary aim is to evaluate the efficacy of the AI chatbot in enhancing women's engagement with the HPV detection-based cervical cancer screening pathway. By addressing barriers to access and providing tailored information, the chatbot has the potential to significantly impact screening rates and, ultimately, reduce the burden of cervical cancer.
