Research shows lack of awareness about HPV make women feel ‘ashamed and terrified’

According to new research, lack of knowledge and misconceptions about HPV are causing women to feel “terrified” and “ashamed” during cervical screenings.

A study carried out by charity Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, found that only 50 per cent of women who are told they have the virus following a cervical screening understand what the infection is, with may thinking it is more serious than it is.

A significant majority of cervical cancer cases are caused by HPV, a common infection and one which around eight in ten people in the UK will contract at some point in their lives, but which can now be vaccinated against.

Whilst cervical cancer is relatively rare, with only 3,200 diagnoses each year in the UK, HPV is almost as common as the cold virus. Even though the body generally clears the virus without it causing damage, a deep-seated stigma about the infection remains.

The charity polled 857 women who had HPV and found that more than eight in ten who were told they had HPV were frightened they have cancer. Around seven said they felt anxious and four felt ashamed. The study found that women routinely say they feel confused, terrified and ashamed.

Sam Dixon, chief executive of the charity, said “Increasing cervical screening attendance remains vital, but we must not overlook the support that is often required after the test. HPV is so common and yet those affected tell us they often feel isolated.

“We regularly hear about anxiety, worry and even relationship breakdowns because of those three letters. Increasing HPV understanding must go hand in hand with cervical screening awareness so that everyone understands their results, and this very normal thing becomes normalised.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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