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We conducted a survey to explore levels of awareness and knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer in 170 female students and whether mode of data collection (online vs. paper) affected the results. 27% of women named HPV as a cause of cervical cancer with online respondents more likely to do so. 75% of women had heard of HPV. More online respondents had heard of HPV than paper respondents. 127 women reported having heard of HPV, with a mean knowledge score of 2.989 (standard deviation [SD] = 1.599). Online respondents scored higher (3.57, SD = 1.316) than paper respondents (2.688, SD = 1.591). Knowledge and awareness of HPV and its link to cervical cancer appear to have increased which may be related to the HPV vaccination programme. However, there is still a considerable number of women with little to no knowledge of HPV. Online surveys may result in an inflated estimation of awareness and knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The main objective of this prospective randomised study was to evaluate whether offering pre-colposcopy group sessions reduces anxiety at the time of colposcopy. We also examined whether this strategy improved knowledge about abnormal smears and colposcopy and improved satisfaction with the colposcopy service provided. One hundred and forty-seven women undergoing colposcopy for the first time were randomised into two groups. The control group (n = 75) received conventional management. The study group (n = 72), in addition to conventional management, were invited to attend a pre-colposcopy group session led by a trained colposcopy nurse. Questionnaires were used to determine state anxiety inventory scores and knowledge scores at the time of randomisation, immediately before colposcopy and 6 weeks after the clinic visit. Satisfaction questionnaires were completed 6 weeks after the clinic visit. We found that women attending colposcopy clinics are anxious. Those women who attended the pre-colposcopy session had improved knowledge scores (P = 0·039) at the time of colposcopy and satisfaction (P = 0·037). However, the intervention failed to significantly reduce anxiety at the time of colposcopy (P > 0·05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Responses to a postal questionnaire and cancer registry data were utilised to evaluate the impact of the recent NHS Executive guidelines for the management of gynaecological malignancies on patient flows and service provision in the West Midlands. They were also used to assess the service provision in the west midlands in relation to these guidelines. Eighty-nine per cent (16/18) trusts returned completed questionnaires. Seventy-two per cent (46/64) of recommendations were achieved by all four centres; 18% (10/57) by all 12 units. The cancer registration data revealed 404 cases that would need to be transferred to the cancer centres per annum in order to implement the guidelines. A more detailed analysis for the northern area of the region estimated that a further 120 cases per annum would need to be managed at the main centre. This study has shown that implementation of the guidelines will require significant shifts in patient flows. This will increase workloads for the cancer centre and have an impact on service provision and resource allocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We set out to examine factors associated with follow up preferences of women attending routine hospital follow up after treatment for early stage gynaecological cancer. This was a retrospective cohort study, using hospital records and questionnaire data, and was based in North Staffordshire, UK. Fifty-four women, who had undergone successful treatment for early stage gynaecological cancer and currently attending routine hospital follow up appointments, were studied. Follow-up preferences were established using a specially designed questionnaire. A questionnaire package containing psychological and demographic measures was used. Clinical details including site and stage of disease, treatment and follow-up type were obtained from medical records. There were no significant demographic or clinical differences between the women with preference for hospital follow-up and those women with a preference for discharge. Women with a preference for follow-up were found to have significantly higher anxiety (as measured by the MAC anxiety scale). These results were not found for the other anxiety scales (STAI and HADS). Three predictor variables (MAC anxiety, Education and Car ownership) were found to predict significantly group membership. It is not possible to predict follow-up needs using demographic, clinical or psychological factors. Follow-up needs are achieved through effective medical communication. The role of the specialist nurse is implicated. A larger scale study is necessary to elaborate this preliminary research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 54-year-old woman diagnosed with intravascular leiomyomatosis. Topics discussed include an overview of intravascular leiomyomatosis, the clinical examinations of the patient, the diagnosis of this medical condition, its causes, and the treatment of the patient.

The article presents a case study of a 48-year-old woman with uterine sarcoma. She had an irregular viginal bleeding and an offensive vaginal discharge. Examination found a necrotic mass in the anterior vaginal vault and was confirmed by CT scan. She was treated with megestrol acetate, but was discontinued due to skin allergy and was commenced on letrozole. Histology found a deteriorated tumor size and eventually treated successfully with no local recurrence and measurable disease.

The article presents a clinical case of leiomyoma appearance in the vaginal vault after hysterectomy. Leiomyomas are benign clonal proliferation of smooth muscle cells and common among women of Black Afro-Caribbean ethinicity. A 47-year-old Caucasian woman with a two-month history of abdominal pain, brown vaginal discharge and lethargy is examined.

The purpose of this study was to audit patients opinions on routine follow-up and discharge from the gynaecology clinic. The setting was the gynaecology clinic of a large district general hospital and the design was a cross-sectional audit analysis using a written questionnaire. The subjects were 103 women attending the gynaecological out patients for review following previous treatment for various gynaecological cancers. Ninety patients took part in the study, of these 36 (40%) wished for 'free access', 29 (32%) wished for routine hospital follow-up, and 25 (28%) wished for discharge but with follow-up by their general practitioner. There were no statistically significant differences in choices between cancer groups. The choice of 'free access'seemed to be an important choice for women. We conclude that routine hospital follow-up of women treated for gynaecological cancer is not the desire of the majority and it appears the women may have different inherent psychological characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to assess whether women had been counselled by their primary health care team and whether or not they had received any information about colpscopy. We also asked where the best information had been obtained. The setting was the colposcopy clinic of a large district general hospital, the design of which was a cross-sectional audit using a questionnaire. The subjects were 100 women attending the colposcopy clinic. The results show that 63% of women were seen by their primary health care team before the colposcopy visit and that counselling was associated with knowledge about colposcopy (P = 0.017). However, 43% of women felt that they knew nothing about colposcopy whilst 19% of women thought that the information they had obtained was not useful. We conclude that there is scope for improving the quality, timing and provision of information for women undergoing colposcopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the side effects of prilocaine with felypressin and lignocaine with adrenaline, anesthetics used for large loop excision of the cervical transformation zone (LLETZ). Average number of women in Great Britain who underwent LLETZ between November 1, 1996 and December 31, 1996; Methods used to assess patients who underwent LLETZ; Description of clinical characteristics and side effects of the anesthetics.

Presents a study which was conducted to ascertain the prescribing practices of colposcopists in the United Kingdom, highlighting an Annual Scientific Meeting of the British Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (BSCCP). Number of delegates who attended the meeting; Percentage of the practitioners who prescribe antibacterials; In-depth look at the study.