# OC-DETECT,A mHealth for CHWs can facilitate the task-shifting of intake, provide on-demand training, improve communication between CHWs and their supervisors, and support digital-enhanced referral

> **NIH NIH R43** · BENTEN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. · 2021 · $300,618

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
 Benten Technologies proposes to design, build and test a mobile-based platform and application called
Oral Cancer Detection (OC-DETECT) that will leverage secure, cloud-based technology to provide virtual
screenings, photo imagery, referrals, education, and additional communication channels for individuals in India
at-risk of oral cancer. The platform will support linkage to care through the integration of novel tools including e-
screening, educational materials, and the option to get a referral and virtual consult to an oral cancer specialist.
The platform will utilize younger family members who own a smartphone to complete the screens with the at-risk
individuals and help with referral follow-ups.
 This project will build on existing mobile phone screening and detection programs developed in India but
will focus on task-shifting the screening work from community health workers to family members of at-risk
individuals. The younger family members will get on-demand training through their smartphones on how to take
images of the oral cavity and administer the screenings. Upon completion of the training, the family members
will conduct a screening every two weeks during the pilot study. OC experts will review the screening and imagery
results before joining a virtual conference with the at-risk individual and the family member. After the study, all
participants will evaluate the mobile health application for feasibility and acceptability.
 The Phase 1 SBIR Specific Aims are to (1) Use formative research with student family members,
individuals at-risk for oral cancer, HCPs, and relevant stakeholders to identify the needs and requirements for
screenings and linkage to care; (2) Build the prototype, and (3) Pilot test with 20 pairs of individuals at risk for
OC and students who are family members to evaluate the application for usability and acceptance.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10258860
- **Project number:** 1R43CA261540-01
- **Recipient organization:** BENTEN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Tony Xuyen Ma
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $300,618
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-09-21 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10258860

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10258860, OC-DETECT,A mHealth for CHWs can facilitate the task-shifting of intake, provide on-demand training, improve communication between CHWs and their supervisors, and support digital-enhanced referral (1R43CA261540-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10258860. Licensed CC0.

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