Half of women wrongly think they are not at risk of HPV if in long-term relationship

Around half of women wrongly think they are not at risk of HPV if they are in a long-term relationship, according to a new study.

Roughly 80 per cent of people will get the human papillomavirus (HPV) at some point in their lives.

HPV – the leading cause of cervical cancer – is spread by skin-to-skin contact in the genital area, which can include sexual touching, sharing sex toys, oral and penetrative sex.

A YouGov study has revealed women believe a number of “dangerous” myths about HPV – finding 48 per cent of women believe they do not face the risk of HPV if they are in a long-term monogamous relationship.

More than 40 per cent of women were found to have either delayed or chosen not to book an appointment for a cervical screening after getting an invitation.

Over half of women did not know both women and men can be infected and some 42 per cent believe you do not need to go for cervical screening if you have been vaccinated.

The poll of nearly 1,500 women found older women more likely to believe myths and more than one in four over 55s say they would be unlikely to book an appointment following a screening invitation in the future.

Obstacles to cervical screening were found to include feeling scared and embarrassed, having a prior negative experience and being too busy.

Robert Music, chief executive of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, said: “It is worrying to see so many myths and so much stigma regarding HPV as this may just increase fear and uncertainty at an already anxious time.

“Increasing understanding about HPV, including what having the virus means, how it is contracted and how long it stays in the body, is essential. The role of health professionals is crucial, however, education should start in school when the HPV vaccination is offered providing an opportunity to normalise the virus from an early age.”

Practically all cervical cancers are caused by HPV and researchers say there is the potential to prevent an additional 600 cervical cancers each year as the screening programme in England moves to a HPV primary screening method. But they say this will only be the case if women attend screenings.

Researchers warned a dearth of understanding of the facts surrounding HPV can lead to dangerous and unfair stigmas being linked to HPV and cervical cancer.

Nearly a fifth of those surveyed – and a quarter of over 55s – think sexual promiscuity is the main risk factor for cervical cancer. Around seven per cent believe if they are in a long-term monogamous relationship and they receive a HPV diagnosis, this indicates they or their partner has cheated.

In actual fact, HPV can lie dormant in the system for many years so being in a long-term relationship does not eliminate the risk.

More than a quarter of women said they would feel embarrassed to tell anyone if they were diagnosed with HPV in spite of the fact HPV is present in one in three people in the UK. HPV is almost as common as the cold virus and some 90 per cent of individuals will come into contact with some form of the virus in their lifetime.

But smear test attendance is plummeting, with previous figures showing an increasing number of women failing to attend due to embarrassment.

Attendance is currently at its lowest in 19 years in England – with a 10-year low in Scotland and Wales.

Cervical screening, commonly referred to as a smear test, helps to pick up early signs of cell changes in the cervix which can turn into cancer.

The NHS Cervical Screening Programme has made a significant impact on cervical cancer mortality rates and is estimated to save around 4,500 lives a year.