Research funded by the Irish Cancer Society shows women who smoke are at greater risk of the HPV infection

Research funded by a €120,000 grant from the Irish Cancer Society has shown that women who smoke are at greater risk of picking up a Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection, the main cause of cervical cancer.

HPV infection is very common, infecting 70-80% of women at some stage in their lifetime.  In most cases this infection is cleared by the woman’s immune system. However, in a small percentage of women the infection persists for longer and these women are at increased risk of developing high-grade cervical pre-cancer and ultimately cervical cancer.  The aim of this study, led by Irish Cancer Society Research Scholar, Ms Christine White, and the CERVIVA research consortium [www.cerviva.ie] headed by Professor John O’Leary and Dr Cara Martin, at Trinity College and The Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, was to establish the impact of smoking on women’s risk of developing cervical pre-cancer. This study forms part of a larger study underway within CERVIVA, which is evaluating different ways to improve the management of women with persistent low grade cervical smears. Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor associated with cervical cancer, and results of this study have shown that women with detectable nicotine metabolite, called cotinine, in their urine sample were at a higher risk of acquiring a HPV infection than those who were not exposed to tobacco smoke. Furthermore, women with high levels of cotinine appear to be at an increased risk of developing high grade cervical pre-cancer compared to non-smokers. Results from this research show that 37% of smokers and 43% of heavy smokers (>10 cigarettes per day) compared to 24% of non-smokers developed a high grade cervical pre-cancer. More than a thousand women with low-grade cervical abnormalities on their smear test were recruited for this study through the colposcopy clinics at The National Maternity Hospital, which followed the women over a period of 36 months from the time at which they had their first abnormal pap smear.  Speaking about her research, Ms Christine White, said, “Our study highlights the harmful effects of tobacco smoke on women’s health. We know that women who smoke have less immune cells in the cervix and our results have shown that these women are more susceptible to picking up a HPV infection, and find it harder to fight off, putting them at a higher risk of getting cervical cancer. The funding from the Irish Cancer Society has been central to our work, and we are very thankful for their support and for the opportunity to bring these important findings to light.” Head of Research at the Irish Cancer Society, Prof. John Fitzpatrick said, “Cervical cancer is the second most common female cancer in Europe, and each year about 200 women are diagnosed with the disease in Ireland.” “Ms White’s research represents the type of high level research the Irish Cancer Society is funding to make a difference in the lives of women affected by all cancers, but especially cervical cancer. We congratulate Ms White on her hard work, which serves to further highlight the dangerous toxins contained in cigarette smoke that are proven to be extremely damaging to your health and the health of others around you.” Cancer of the cervix is cancer of the cells lining your cervix. Cervical cancer develops slowly over a number of years. At first it develops abnormal changes, which are called precancerous, and then leads to cancer itself. These abnormal cells are called CIN (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia). These cells are not cancerous but if left untreated may develop into cancer. A National Cervical Screening Programme is available in Ireland called CervicalCheck. The Government funds this service and provides free smear tests to women aged 25 to 60 years. For more details, contact CervicalCheck at 1800 45 45 55 or visit the CervicalCheck website.