# Addressing Cervical Cancer in Female Firefighters

> **NIH ALLCDC K01** · UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2021 · $108,000

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ ABSTRACT
Widespread adoption of the Pap smear has significantly reduced cervical cancer incidence and mortality in
the US. However, not all US women have benefited equally. Female firefighters contribute disproportionately
to cervical cancer incidence, morbidity and mortality. This project proposes to address cervical cancer disparity
in female firefighters and examine the feasibility of a Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) self-sampler as a means to
circumvent occupational time constraints (i.e. shift work) and barriers to routine cancer screenings in
firefighters. The career development plan and research outlined in this K01 proposal will allow Dr. Schaefer
Solle to build upon her background in chronic disease prevention and health promotion; combine her interests
in occupational health and cancer prevention strategies; and develop her skills in intervention design and
occupational epidemiology. The institutional environment for occupational health and safety research at the
University of Miami is outstanding, and Dr. Schaefer Solle's proposed mentorship team includes
accomplished mentors with established, multidisciplinary research programs. Under the mentorship of Dr.
David Lee, occupational health epidemiologist and Dr. Erin Kobetz, Cancer Prevention Interventionist, Dr.
Schaefer Solle will: 1) determine the feasibility of implementing a HPV self-sampler intervention in a sample of
female firefighters in South Florida; 2) determine the acceptability of implementing HPV self-sampling in a
sample of female firefighters in South Florida; and 3) identify cervical cancer risk factors within the study
sample. Consistent with the goals of the NIOSH Research to Practice (R2P) approach, the proposed K01
research proposal will incorporate the key elements of partnerships and communication through our
established relationship and ongoing dialogue with fire departments of Florida. The ultimate goal of this work
is to reduce the incidence of chronic disease in firefighters and create health awareness based on
occupational exposures and cancer risk (NORA Public Safety Sector Strategic Goal 1 and Intermediate Goal
1.1). This harmonizes with Dr. Schaefer Solle's ultimate career goal of becoming an occupational health
researcher with skillset in the design, implementation and evaluation of cancer screening interventions in high-
risk worker groups including firefighters.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10179271
- **Project number:** 5K01OH011273-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Natasha Schaefer Solle
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** ALLCDC
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $108,000
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-30 → 2022-09-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10179271

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10179271, Addressing Cervical Cancer in Female Firefighters (5K01OH011273-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10179271. Licensed CC0.

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