Why lesbians should be encouraged to have regular cervical screening

The Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care
Hazel J Henderson

Abstract

The UK National Health Service Cervical Screening Programme (NHSCSP) advice on cervical cytology screening states that women who have never had sex with men are at very low risk of developing cervical cancer, and advice regarding need for screening in lesbians is inconsistent. Literature review searching PubMed, Web of Science and the Internet for articles on lesbians, cervical cancer and cervical cancer risk factors focusing on human papillomavirus (HPV) and screening behaviours. Case reports and prevalence studies show that HPV can be transmitted sexually between women. It is not known whether prevalence of HPV or cervical cancer differs between lesbians and heterosexual women. The evidence consistently shows that prevalence of non-attendance for cervical screening is much higher in lesbian than heterosexual women, which is linked to a belief that lesbians are less susceptible to cervical cancer and have less need for screening. Despite sharing most of the same risk factors as heterosexual women, lesbians are much less likely to undergo regular screening. The NHSCSP should take a clear and consistent stance on the need for cervical screening in lesbians. Both the health care and the lesbian communities must be made aware of t...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jul 1, 2009·BMC Public Health·Amanda DeeksHelena Teede
Dec 17, 2014·BMC Women's Health·Claire CurmiYenna Salamonson
Jul 20, 2014·Journal of Bioethical Inquiry·Cressida J Heyes, Angela Thachuk
Mar 21, 2013·Social Issues and Policy Review·Mary DozierCarole Shauffer
Dec 2, 2014·The Nurse Practitioner·Lindsay Waterman, Joachim Voss
Jan 23, 2021·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Elizabeth McDermottHarri Weeks

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