Few women have heard of virus associated with genital warts (HPV) and its link with cervical cancerAugust 01, 2003Few women have heard of the virus associated with genital warts (HPV), or are aware that it is linked to cervical cancer, reveals a study in Sexually Transmitted Infections. The authors assessed women’s knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) by surveying those attending a Well Woman Clinic in central London. The survey took place over a period of 15 months from 2000 to 2002. In all, over 1000 women completed the survey during that time, amounting to around 80% of female clinic attenders invited to take part. The average age of the women was around 30 and they were mostly white, well educated, and in full time employment. Most said they had had between one and three sexual partners in the preceding 12 months. Less than a third of the women had ever heard of papillomavirus, and those that had, tended to be older or had had an abnormal smear test result in the past. Knowledge about the virus was poor: fewer than half knew that the virus is the main cause of cervical cancer and only a third knew that genital warts, also caused by types of HPV, do not themselves cause the disease. Most believed that condoms protect against infection with the virus, although the evidence for this, say the authors, is not clear. But only half knew that the contraceptive pill does not protect against infection. Smokers were less likely to be well informed, a finding that is of some concern, say the authors, given that smoking increases the risk of cervical abnormalities and cancer among women infected with the virus. The authors venture that as the sample of women surveyed were well educated, it is likely that awareness of HPV among the general population is even lower. It is important to rectify this deficit so that women who participate in the cervical screening programme really understand the implications of their results, particularly if testing for the virus is to be introduced, as has been mooted, conclude the authors. British Medical Journal (BMJ) |
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| Related Cervical Cancer Current Events and Cervical Cancer News Articles 1 disease, not 1 demographic The Asian continent has nearly four billion people living in 47 different countries, and each of these groups has their own unique set of health issues. But when they come to the United States, they're often lumped into one large demographic: "Asian/Pacific Islander." Alternatively spliced tissue factor identified as promising new biomarker for aggressive cancers A recently discovered form of the protein that triggers blood clotting may play a key role in the molecular mechanisms leading to the growth of certain metastatic cancers, according to new research reported by an international team of scientists. M. D. Anderson redefines screening guidelines for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers Drawing on years of experience in cancer research and patient care, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center released today the most comprehensive, risk-based screening guidelines publicly available to date for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers. Study finds delay in follow-up among African-American women receiving abnormal breast finding A new analysis has identified a significant delay in follow-up times among African-American women after the finding of a suspicious breast abnormality. UIC study finds girls aware of HPV vaccine's benefits Contrary to concerns that the human papillomavirus vaccine might promote promiscuity, a national survey of girls and young women found that the majority of respondents did not believe the HPV vaccine protected them against other sexually transmitted infections. Scientists identify common HPV genotypes in northern India, encourage vaccination Although a wide spectrum of human papillomavirus is seen across the population of India, HPV-16 and HPV-18 are the most common types and a vaccination targeting these types could eliminate 75 percent of the cervical cancers in the region. Vaccinating boys against human papillomavirus not cost-effective Persistent infection with high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted virus, is known to be a cause of cervical cancer. Vaccination and testing for the human papilloma virus could eradicate cervical cancer Cervical cancer could be eradicated within the next 50 years if countries implement national screening programmes based on detection of the human papilloma virus (HPV), which causes the disease, together with vaccination programmes against the virus, according to a cervical cancer screening expert. Targeted heat therapy offers new standard treatment option for soft tissue sarcoma Patients with soft-tissue sarcomas at high risk of spreading were 30% more likely to be alive and cancer free almost three years after starting treatment if their tumours were heated at the time they received chemotherapy, according to new research. Even in a safety net health system, colorectal cancer screening disparities remain Colorectal cancer screening rates are much lower among those in a safety net health system compared to the national average, and the number one predictor of screening is a combination of regular visits and insurance access. More Cervical Cancer Current Events and Cervical Cancer News Articles |
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