Colposcopy

To facilitate both our research and clinical detection of precancerous lesions on women's cervixes, Family Health Ministries developed a portable colposcope, also known as a CerviScope, that is both lightweight and able to run on batteries. Clinicians can use the device to better visualize certain vascular patterns of cervical lesions to identify those which could represent human papillomavirus-related (HPV).

Download a two-page fact sheet (PDF) on FHM's portable colposcope project including development history and sponsorship information.

Dr. David Walmer's Research Summary of the CerviScope is also available as a PDF.

Join the list of field testers :

• Kim Scheel, nurse practitioner of Serving in Mission, Ethiopia (August 2008)
• Kristina McCain MD, of Health Talents International, Guatemala (August 2008)

A significant area of Family Health Ministries’ research in Haiti has been the development and testing of the portable colposcope. The colposcope is critical to diagnosing and treating cervical cancer. Clinicians use the device to better visualize cervical lesions that may be caused by the Human Papillomavirus and could lead to cervical cancer. However, this colposcope, typically large and requiring electricity to run, is too expensive to operate in low-resource clinic settings such as Haiti and other developing countries.

It is for this reason that Family Health Ministries collaborated to develop a portable colposcope, brand named the CerviScope that is both lightweight and able to run on batteries. The plan is for the CerviScope to be used in low-resource settings around the world.

In early July 2008, FHM received its first sponsor for a colposcope to be used in a clinic in Langano, Ethiopia with the generous donation from a family in Rochester, NY.  The first unit was shipped in early September to nurse practitioner Kim Scheel, of Serving in Mission. FHM's second colposcope was sold to Kristina McCain MD, of Health Talents International, Guatemala.

FHM is seeking  both financial sponsors and healthcare providers to test the device.  Each prototype costs approximately $1000 to produce.  Contact Jackie Ndirangu to participate.

SPONSORSHIP & PURCHASING OPTIONS

If you are interested in purchasing a unit, or sponsoring one for a physician/clinic in Haiti or around the world, visit our online catalog.

View FHM Colposcopes in a larger map.