Smoking and cervical cancer: How can we get women smokers to listen?August 31, 2001Smoking doubles the risk of serious cervical problems and, amongst women with low-grade cervical disease, stopping leads to a reduction of the disease in a least half of them. Simply informing women that smoking increases their risk of cervical cancer may not result in smoking cessation. Understanding why women may not accept such information is the subject of a study conducted by Dr Sue Hall and Professor Theresa Marteau, Kings College and St Thomas’ Hospital Medical School, London, presented today, Friday 7 September, at the joint British Psychological Society’s Division of Health Psychology and European Health Psychology Society conference, held at St Andrews University. Thirty-six women (of which 15 were smokers) with cervical abnormalities were asked about their beliefs about the role of smoking in the causation of such abnormalities. Just half of the women reported smoking as a cause of cervical complications and most of these had no idea of how smoking might harm the cervix. These findings suggest that many women smokers, even if aware that smoking increases the risk of cervical abnormalities, have no real explanation for how smoking might adversely affect the cervix. The researchers believe that providing women with a common sense explanation of this link would help women smokers to accept the information, and in turn this may lead to smoking cessation and a reduction in the spread of the disease. A national trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a leaflet informing women of the link with smoking, and smoking cessation advice from practice nurses, is being developed. British Psychological Society (BPS) |
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| Related Smoking Current Events and Smoking News Articles Study suggests dentists can identify patients at risk for fatal cardiovascular event A new study indicates dentists can play a potentially life-saving role in health care by identifying patients at risk of fatal heart attacks and referring them to physicians for further evaluation. Air pollution increases infants' risk of bronchiolitis Infants who are exposed to higher levels of air pollution are at increased risk for bronchiolitis, according to a new study. PMH finding may help some tonsil cancer patients avoid chemotherapy Clinical researchers at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) have confirmed that patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer ("tonsil cancer") harbour a common type of human papilloma virus (HPV16), but also that such cancers are very sensitive to radiation. MSU researcher: Obesity significantly cuts odds of successful pregnancy Obese women are as much as 28 percent less likely to become pregnant and have a successful pregnancy, according to research that earned a Michigan State University professor a national award. Survey: Awareness of COPD is rising, but understanding is still low Awareness of COPD-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-continues to grow in the United States, according to national survey results released today by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health. Smokers with common autoimmune disorder at higher risk for skin damage As if there weren't enough reasons to stop smoking, a team of researchers at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) have just found another. Help your kidneys: Pass on salt and diet soda Individuals who consume a diet high in sodium or artificially sweetened drinks are more likely to experience a decline in kidney function, according to two papers being presented at the American Society of Nephrology's annual meeting in San Diego, California. Study spotlights efficacy of questionnaire to identify patients at high risk for lung cancer A study featured in the November issue of the Journal of Thoracic Oncology confirms the success of a simple questionnaire designed to identify patients at high risk of lung cancer. Research: Migraine and cardiovascular disease: Systematic review and meta-analysis Migraine with aura (temporary visual or sensory disturbances before or during a migraine headache) is associated with a twofold increased risk of stroke, finds a study published on bmj.com today. Consumer Electronics Can Help Improve Patient Health Electronic tools and technology applications for consumers can help improve health care processes, such as adherence to medication and clinical outcomes like smoking cessation, according to a report by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. More Smoking Current Events and Smoking News Articles |
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