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What if preventing cancer was as easy as a text message?
A recent study at Huntsman Cancer Institute found that 70% of Utah kids and teens had missed an opportunity to be immunized against HPV, and possibly prevent future cancers. But an innovative AI chatbot could address these lost chances by helping patients and caregivers navigate through the facts and fears about HPV vaccinations.
The Power of the HPV Vaccine
HPV (human papillomavirus) infection is incredibly common, with 80% of adults having had it by age 45. It is known to cause several types of cancer, including cancers of the cervix, anus, vagina, vulva, penis, and mouth and throat.
While most infections don't lead to cancer, 36,000 new cases each year in the United States could be prevented by HPV vaccination. In the last 10 years, oropharyngeal cancer has surpassed cervical cancer in incidence in Utah, occurring at a rate of 15 per 100,000 men and women each year. This trend is increasing, especially among white and non-Hispanic men, where cases are rising by 3% annually. A large percentage of these cancers are preventable with vaccination.
The HPV vaccine has demonstrated safety and provides protection that doesn't appear to wane over time. It works best when starting at age 9 due to a stronger immune response and is available at little to no cost for boys and girls.
鈥淐ancer prevention is for everyone. Excellent cancer care is for everyone, and we鈥檙e working tirelessly to make that a reality鈥攆inding science-backed, community-driven, and innovative ways to reach people where they are, when they need it.鈥
Kaila Christini, MSPH, MS
Despite its proven ability to prevent cancer, HPV vaccination rates remain low, and in many states, including those in the Mountain West, critically low. A study led by , alongside the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, found that from 2017鈥2023, nearly half of Utah adolescents ages 9鈥17 did not receive any HPV doses.
The study also found that most Utah adolescents (70%) had at least one missed opportunity where they could have received the HPV vaccine but did not for one reason or another. These missed opportunities occur when vaccine records indicate an adolescent received another vaccine but not HPV, even though they were overdue, either because it was not suggested by their doctor, or they were recommended the vaccine, but their parent or caregiver did not take the recommendation.
Rural patients reported being less likely to have been recommended the vaccine for their child, and rural individuals bear the burden of these cancers, often being diagnosed at later stages and facing access issues. Latino children and those who never used public insurance were also more likely to experience a missed HPV vaccination opportunity.
Using AI to Prevent Cancers Caused by HPV
Huntsman Cancer Institute is committed to improving community health and increasing access to cancer care and prevention for all communities in the area we serve, which is why researchers at the institute are developing an innovative solution to address these missed vaccination opportunities and to provide protection from cancer to more individuals.
Meet PIPA. Personalized Immunization Partner and Assistant, or PIPA, is an AI chatbot under development by the Kepka group in collaboration with the Departments of Biomedical Informatics and Geospatial Sciences at the . The software simulates conversation and provides personalized guidance to help parents and caregivers make informed decisions about HPV vaccination.
The chatbot is designed to help patients know if the HPV vaccine is right for them, where they can get vaccinated, and provide reminders about vaccination.
鈥淲e know that effective prevention isn鈥檛 one-size-fits-all,鈥 , program manager in the , explains. 鈥淭his is why an approach tailored to each person鈥檚 needs is important to help educate the community about cancer risk and help prevent cancer through immunization.鈥
A Passion for Community Health
The chatbot is one way in which researchers are working to achieve Huntsman Cancer Institute鈥檚 vision of passionate individuals and teams delivering a cancer-free frontier through scientific discovery and human touch. This vision is a personal one for Christini.
Raised in rural Utah, she became fiercely committed to cancer research and community health after watching her grandmother suffer the painful and relentless progression of metastatic breast cancer. The experience ignited a deep urgency to ensure that quality care is accessible to all, no matter where they live鈥攕o no one experiences what her grandmother did.
鈥淓ven with excellent care, I watched her suffer, and it stayed with me,鈥 she says. 鈥淚t made me ask: What happens when cancer shows up in the rural communities I know and love, where care isn鈥檛 always close or easy to reach?鈥
Today, Christini is channeling that question into action. As a researcher at Huntsman Cancer Institute, she鈥檚 committed to making sure that everyone, no matter where they live or who they are, knows that science, cancer prevention, and lifesaving care are not only available but are meant for them.
鈥淐ancer prevention is for everyone. Excellent cancer care is for everyone,鈥 she says. 鈥淎nd we鈥檙e working tirelessly to make that a reality鈥攆inding science-backed, community-driven, and innovative ways to reach people where they are, when they need it.鈥
Personalized messaging using the power of AI is one of those innovative approaches. Kepka, who leads the group behind PIPA, says Christini鈥檚 work on the AI chatbot is critical to addressing HPV-related cancers: 鈥淐hristini is well-positioned to have a major impact on improving vaccination rates and cervical cancer screening using innovative methods such as chatbots,鈥 Kepka says.
鈥淲e know that effective prevention isn鈥檛 one-size-fits-all. This is why an approach tailored to each person鈥檚 needs is important to help educate the community about cancer risk and help prevent cancer through immunization.鈥
Kaila Christini, MSPH, MS
Through the power of AI, PIPA has the potential to reach more communities than ever鈥攊ncluding people living in rural or frontier communities and non-English-language speakers鈥攖o help people make more informed decisions about vaccinations.
鈥淚鈥檓 excited about what鈥檚 possible when we combine science, compassion, and technology,鈥 she says. 鈥淚 believe we can transform how communities connect with the care they deserve.鈥