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Smoking, human papilloma virus and cervical cancer: A colposcopy clinic partnership project
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1
Public Health Department, National Screening Service, Dublin, Ireland
2
School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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Colposcopy Clinic, Wexford General Hospital, Wexford, Ireland
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Cork Colposcopy Services, St Finbar's Hospital, Cork, Ireland
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HSE, Tobacco Free Ireland Programme, Dublin, Ireland
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CervicalCheck, National Screening Service, Limerick, Ireland
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CervicalCheck and School of Medicine, The National Screening Service and University College Cork, Limerick and Cork, Ireland
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, HSE Tobacco Free Ireland Programme, Dublin, Ireland
Publication date: 2025-06-23
Tob. Induc. Dis. 2025;23(Suppl 1):A274
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ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Smoking increases the risk of having an active Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection. While most HPV infections are cleared within 1–2 years, smoking reduces the chance of clearing HPV. Smoking increases the risk that HPV will cause cell abnormalities in the cervix, that can lead to cervical cancer. Notification of abnormal tests is known to be a ‘teachable moment’ for stop smoking supports – i.e. a brief period in which motivation to stop smoking is enhanced. Approximately 41.5% of women who attend colposcopy in Ireland are smokers. For them, the attendance can activate the ‘relevance’ element of the ‘5R’s’ model. This gives the opportunity for colposcopy services to provide the elements of the ‘5A’s’ model to support this activation – Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist and Arrange. This project explored how to enhance the ‘5A’s’ model of stop smoking interventions within a colposcopy setting.
METHODS:
• Engage with partners
• Conduct literature reviews & a survey of colposcopy clinics in Ireland
• Co-produce resources
RESULTS: All stakeholders viewed colposcopy as a suitable setting for smoking cessation services (100%). 36.5% of colposcopy patients who smoke are 'always' offered referral to quit smoking services, 45.5% are 'sometimes' referred and 18% are never referred.
Colposcopy staff felt that specific information for staff and patients on HPV, smoking and cervical cancer, staff training, and an e-referral system to Quit smoking services would enhance referrals to quit smoking services in their clinic. Co-produced resources.
CONCLUSIONS: Colposcopy clinics are a suitable setting for brief interventions about smoking. The availability of enhanced referral pathways to stop smoking services and a suite of educational materials on the relationship between smoking, HPV and cervical cancer will enable staff to practice their brief smoking intervention skills and patients to understand the risk of smoking and benefits of quitting on their cervical and general health.