8: Public health - cervical cancer screening & vaccination Flashcards
What is the most common cancer in women under 35?
Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is most common in which group of women?
Under 35s
What is the main factor affecting cervical cancer’s mortality rate?
Early detection
More deprived populations have (greater / reduced) rates of cervical cancer.
greater deprivation = greater rates
True for lots of diseases
What type of testing is carried out for cervical cancer among high-risk populations?
Screening tests
Screening tests for cervical cancer are aimed at (asymptomatic / symptomatic) patients.
asymptomatic patients
What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?
Abnormal vaginal bleeding / discharge
Intermenstrual bleeding
Post-coital bleeding
Dyspareunia
If a woman has symptoms of cervical cancer, they should receive a ___ test.
diagnostic test
What does cervical screening involve?
Gynaecological examination
Visual examination, then smear sample from transformation zone of cervix
Women of which ages are offered cervical screening?
25 - 64 years old
How often are women aged
a) 50 - 65
b) 25 - 49
offered cervical screening?
a) Every 5 years
b) Every 3 years
From where are cervical smears taken?
Squamocolumnar junction / Transformation zone
What is the coverage of a screening test?
Number of people being screened / Number of ELIGIBLE people
What is the uptake of a screening test?
Number of people being screened / Number of people INVITED for screening
Does coverage and uptake of a screening test mean the same thing?
No
Coverage takes into account everyone who could benefit (eligible)
Uptake takes into account everyone who was invited for screening; not everyone who is eligible is invited
Which virus causes cervical cancer?
HPV
Which types of HPV are known to cause
a) genital warts
b) cervical cancer?
a) Genital warts - HPV 6 & 11
b) Cervical cancer - HPV 16 & 18
Who is currently vaccinated for cervical cancer?
Girls in S1 - S3
MSM < 45 years old
Which types of HPV are now vaccinated against?
6
11
16
18
i.e those most responsible for genital warts AND cervical cancer
What is the HPV vaccine called?
Gardasil
Which percentage of cervical cancers are caused by HPV 16 & 18?
70%
HPV vaccination removes the need for cervical screening - true or false?
Why?
False
Vaccinates against HPV 16 & 18, which cause 70% of cervical cancers - therefore 30% of cancers aren’t vaccinated against
