HPV passes between women: cervical screening reminder

The popular conception that lesbian women are not at risk of developing cervical cancer because they do not have sex with men is false, a new report from De Montfort University has emphasised (www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/cervical/publications/screening-lesbians-bisexual-women.pdf).

The human papillomavirus virus can be transmitted by lesbian sexual activity, though less readily than by heterosexual intercourse. Lesbians are being reminded that they are at low risk, not no risk, and should undergo screening. The NHS Screening Programme has developed a leaflet to inform women of the issues (www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/cervical/publications/lesbian-bisexual-leaflet-sep09.pdf). Screening usually involves questions that presume service users are heterosexual, and this may be seen as a deterrent.