Image copyright Laura Flaherty Image caption “I thought my partner was cheating when I was diagnosed with HPV”
High levels of shame and ignorance are associated with HPV, the sexually-transmitted virus which affects 80% of people, a survey has discovered.
The government is rolling out HPV testing as part of routine screenings for cervical cancer.
Nearly half of the women surveyed believed their partner must have cheated if they had HPV, but the virus can remain dormant for years.
Campaigners fear women may not attend screenings because of the stigma.
The survey of 2,000 women was done by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust last month.
Image copyright SIphotography Image caption HPV first testing is being introduced in Wales this week
Robert Music, Chief Executive, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, said: “Testing for HPV first is a far more effective way of identifying those most at risk of cervical cancer. This change to the programme does mean more women will be told they have HPV.
“HPV can be confusing however, so we must normalise it to ensure people don’t feel ashamed or scared about being told they have the virus.”
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HPV infection is rapidly declining in girls aged between 12 and 18 as a result of the HPV vaccine introduced in 2008.
Last year, the vaccine was extended to gay men aged 16 to 45, and in July the government announced that it will also be extended to boys, although no start date has yet been given.
There are no plans to extend the HPV vaccine to other adults over the age of 18, as the likelihood of already having the infection are high, and therefore the vaccine would be ineffective.
Dr Philippa Kaye, GP and author said: “GPs and health professionals will be having more conversations with patients about HPV as they come in to discuss their results. Understanding how it is transmitted and the relative risks will help reduce the stigma surrounding it.”
