Young women in colposcopy
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Knowledge, understanding and concerns of Human papillomavirus (HPV) in young women vaccinated attending for colposcopy
IRAS ID
140879
Contact name
Maggie Cruickshank
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Aberdeen
Research summary
High risk Human Papillomavirus (Hr HPV) is necessary for the development of cervical cancer. Although there are at least 150 different genotypes, 70% of cervical cancers are attributed to HPV types 16 and 18. Since 2008, girls aged 12-13 have been immunised against these two types in a school-based programme. A catch-up vaccination campaign ran during 2008-2010 to immunise women born on or after 1 September 1990. It is anticipated that vaccination will prevent 70% of cervical cancers and precancerous disease.
Vaccinated women are now entering the cytology-based cervical screening programme in Scotland which starts at age 20 years. Some vaccinated women will have an abnormal cytology test and be referred for colposcopy. It is likely that this may may generate some concerns among women who may have thought that they were protected by the vaccine. Likewise, if we move to HPV testing as the primary screening test (instead of cervical cytological testing), women who have a positive HPV test may have similar concerns.
We propose to carry out a qualitative study based on interviews of women in the cohort offered HPV immunisation and who are attending colposcopy because of an abnormal cytological screening test or a positive HPV test.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
13/NS/0156
Date of REC Opinion
19 Nov 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion