Abstract 1948
Background
Cervical cancer (CC) is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide. Human papillomavirus (HPV) subtypes 16 and 18 account for 70% of cases of CC. 80% of sexually active French women are infected by HPV at least once in their lifetime. Vaccination and screening are the main weapons against CC. This branch of the EDIFICE survey focuses on awareness of CC risk factors among the lay population and physicians.
Methods
The 4th nationwide observational survey was conducted by phone interviews using the quota method. A representative sample of 737 women (age, 40-75 yrs) was interviewed between June 12 and July 10, 2014. A mirror survey on a representative sample of 105 female physicians was conducted between July 9 and August 8, 2014. Interviewees were asked to cite the five main risk factors for CC.
Results
For 30.3% of lay population participants, heredity/family history was the main CC risk factor while 39.0% of physicians (non-significant difference, NS) ranked it second after other factors related to sexually-transmitted infections (STI) and risky sexual behavior. STI were cited by 85.7% of the physicians; notably, 76.2% also mentioned HPV whereas these risk factors were cited by only 21.7% and 8.0% of the lay population (P
Conclusions
Although not a recognized risk factor for CC, heredity/family history was ranked first by lay persons and second by physicians. Physicians were largely aware of HPV as a major risk factor for CC. They also widely cited notorious risky sexual behavior associated with the risk of contracting HPV, and tobacco, a known cofactor. Lay persons however, were inadequately aware of these risk factors. Other recognized cofactors such as the pill or multiple pregnancies were cited far less frequently both by physicians and lay persons.
Clinical trial identification
Legal entity responsible for the study
Edifice surveys were funded by Roche S.A.
Funding
Edifice surveys were funded by Roche S.A.
Disclosure
X. Pivot, J-F. Morère, S. Couraud, J-Y. Blay, A.B. Cortot, F. Eisinger, L. Greillier: Honorarium fees from Roche. C. Lhomel: Employee of Roche. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.