NHS review calls for clearer cervical cancer guidance for lesbians

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An NHS review on cervical cancer has said that more should be done to raise awareness of cervical cancer in lesbians.

Historically, it was believed that the HPV virus, one of the causes of cervical cancer, could only be transmitted through sexual contact with men.

However, research has found that it can be transmitted through sexual contact between women as 80 per cent of lesbians are estimated to have slept with a man at some point in their lives.

A 2008 Stonewall survey on health found that one in five lesbian and bisexual women were told that they did not need a smear test. It was estimated that 37,000 lesbian and bisexual women had been refused access to screening, despite requesting it.

The NHS Cervical Screening Programme 2009 annual review looked at the "myths" around lesbians and cervical cancer.

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/01/21/nhs-review-calls-for-clearer-cervical-cancer-guidance-for-lesbians/