“The MySHARE+ project is more than a research endeavor—it’s a movement to bring life-saving cervical cancer screening to women who need it most,” says Associate Professor Daisy Le, PhD, MPH, MA, a public health researcher and advocate working as a faculty member at the GW School of Nursing. Funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), MySHARE+ (My Self-Sampling for HPV Awareness, Results, and Empowerment) aims to reduce the stark disparities in cervical cancer rates among women living with HIV, one of the most vulnerable yet underserved populations when it comes to cancer prevention.
Tackling Disparities with Self-Sampling
The MySHARE+ project focuses on providing self-administered HPV tests to women living with HIV, a group at heightened risk for cervical cancer due to weakened immune systems. The need for this project is critical: “Women with HIV are often less likely to get regular cervical cancer screenings,” Dr. Le explains, “and this puts them at a higher risk of cancer progression.” Barriers like stigma, logistical challenges, and limited access to care often stand in the way of regular screening for these women, making a decentralized, accessible option crucial.
Dr. Le’s MySHARE initiative, which was recently expanded with support from the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the GW Cancer Center, now reaches beyond women with HIV to include underserved women who are under-screened or have never been screened. “This project (MySHARE2) addresses a fundamental need to meet women where they are and reduce barriers to care,” she says. By bringing “HPV+HIV 2-in-1 self-sampling kits” directly to patients’ homes, the initiative provides a flexible solution that enables women to perform screenings without needing an in-clinic appointment. “Self-sampling offers a powerful tool to break down some of the obstacles underserved women face in accessing care, whether due to financial, logistical, or social barriers.”
The Inspiration Behind MySHARE
Dr. Le’s commitment to improving health equity among underserved populations is deeply personal and rooted in her understanding of public health challenges faced by economically and socially marginalized groups. “The MySHARE initiative was born out of a desire to make a real difference for communities that historically haven’t had the same access to healthcare,” Dr. Le explains. Her research draws on insights from economically disadvantaged and minority populations who often face barriers to basic healthcare access.
The self-sampling approach Dr. Le champions provides more than convenience; it’s a means to empower women to take control of their cervical health. In many ways, the initiative also serves as a bridge to healthcare, helping women overcome barriers like transportation and childcare, which can impede clinic visits. “By making this an at-home solution, we’re able to support women in protecting their health on their own terms,” she adds. The initiative aims not only to boost screening rates, but also to shift the power dynamics in healthcare, giving women tools to manage their health independently.
Empowering Women Through Technology and Outreach
The MySHARE initiative’s reach extends beyond providing HPV self-sampling kits; it incorporates a full suite of support tools designed to keep women engaged in their cervical health journey. The expanded projects, MySHARE+ and MySHARE2, incorporate community outreach, patient navigation, and health technology tools, such as digital portals and text messaging. These resources help women stay informed about the screening process, from understanding the importance of regular tests to taking actionable steps following a positive result.
“For women living with HIV and other underserved groups, there can be an added layer of challenges related to stigma and fear,” Dr. Le says. “That’s why we’re intentional about providing education and a sense of security, so they can make informed decisions.” Through tailored, culturally appropriate educational content and patient navigation, MySHARE helps women not only complete their screenings but also feel empowered to take control of their health. This personalized approach fosters greater engagement and enables women to feel more comfortable seeking follow-up care when necessary.
Overcoming Challenges and Closing Gaps
For the populations targeted by MySHARE, the barriers to cervical cancer screening are often multifaceted. Factors such as transportation, time constraints, mistrust of healthcare providers, and even a lack of understanding about cervical cancer risks can prevent women from participating in regular screenings. “Each of these factors creates a ripple effect that can lead to significant health disparities,” Dr. Le notes. “Our goal is to minimize as many of these barriers as possible.”
Through the MySHARE initiative, Dr. Le’s team is working to close these gaps by making HPV self-sampling not only accessible but also culturally sensitive. The initiative is designed with the understanding that one-size-fits-all solutions rarely work in healthcare. MySHARE is tailored to resonate with the unique needs and challenges of each community it serves, ensuring that women feel respected and supported throughout the screening process.
Measuring Success and Future Goals
Success in the MySHARE initiative is not just about numbers but also about impact. Dr. Le and her team are closely monitoring key indicators, including the rates of HPV self-sampling kit use, follow-up appointments after positive results, and overall cervical cancer screening rates among the populations they serve. They also track how this intervention reaches women who historically have not participated in screenings, aiming to understand the role of education and support systems in encouraging women to prioritize their health.
“Hearing directly from women about how this initiative has helped them take charge of their health is one of the most rewarding aspects,” says Dr. Le. This input allows the team to adapt and improve the program, making sure it continues to meet the needs of future participants.
Broader Implications for Health Equity
While cervical cancer is the current focus, Dr. Le envisions MySHARE’s approach as a model for other areas of cancer prevention and chronic disease management. “Self-sampling has the potential to address disparities in many areas of healthcare,” she explains. “By tackling the root causes of health inequity—lack of access, insufficient education, and cultural sensitivity—the MySHARE initiative can inspire similar interventions for other cancers and chronic diseases.”
With additional funding, Dr. Le hopes to expand MySHARE’s model to other HPV-associated cancers and to develop further self-sampling options for populations that may be at high risk, but lack access to preventive care. “Our ultimate goal is to create a more equitable healthcare system,” she says, “where every woman, regardless of her circumstances, has access to life-saving preventive care.”
Looking Forward
Through MySHARE, Dr. Daisy Le is pioneering a new path toward health equity, one that centers on empowering women and dismantling barriers to care. Her work is a testament to the power of research in addressing health disparities and advancing preventive care. As MySHARE continues to grow, Dr. Le’s mission remains clear: to ensure that all women, especially those at the highest risk of falling through the cracks in the healthcare system, have the opportunity to take control of their health and their future.