Bangor University is leading a 5-year study examining cervical screening attendance and its links with women who have experienced sexual violence and abuse.
They would like to invite you to take part in this study. Before you decide about whether to participate, it is important for you to understand why this study is important and what it will involve. Please read the following information carefully and feel free to ask if you would like more information or if there is anything you do not understand. Please also feel free to discuss this with friends or relatives if you wish.
Who is eligible to take part?
- Live in or around London and/or eligible to access cervical screening care in London
- Are a women aged 25 to 64 (the age group invited for cervical screening in the UK).
- Have a cervix (i.e eligible for cervical screening)
- Have experienced sexual violence and/or abuse
What will it involve?
You will respond to a confidential and anonymous 15-minute survey.
If you have any questions, please contact Dr Ceryl Teleri Davies, Centre for Health Economics and Medicines Evaluation (CHEME), School of Health Sciences, Bangor University. Email: ceryl.davies@bangor.ac.uk
What is the focus of this study?
The study looks at how cervical screening services can be improved to be more supportive and compassionate. The study is led by Dr Ceryl Teleri Davies, Senior Research Fellow, based at the Centre for Health Economics and Medicines Evaluation (CHEME), Bangor University and involves researchers and universities in Wales, England, Sweden and Australia. It is funded by Health and Care Research Wales and the National Institute for Health and Care Research. We are also working with specialist support organisations, such as women’s support and survivor services.
We would like to stress that you do not have to accept this invitation and that you should only agree to take part if you want to. We will not ask you to talk about your experiences of sexual violence and abuse. You can share with us the information that feels OK for you.
Why is this study being done?
Cervical screening checks the health of the cervix to help prevent cervical cancer. It looks for HPV (human papillomavirus) and early changes in cervical cells that could cause problems later. HPVis a very common virus. Most people will have it at some point, and it usually causes no symptoms and clears on its own. Some types of HPV can cause changes in cervical cells, which is why HPV testing is used in cervical screening. The test, sometimes called a smear test, is offered to women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64.
We want to understand:
- What works well when women access cervical screening
- What makes screening difficult or distressing
- What changes could help women feel safer and better supported
For more information or if you have questions, please contact the researcher ceryl.davies@bangor.ac.uk directly.