Important Information for Patients Attending Gynaecology Services

What is HPV?

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common virus. Most people will have HPV at some point in their lives.

In most cases, the immune system clears HPV naturally. However, sometimes the virus stays in the body and can cause:

• Abnormal cervical cells
• Cervical cancer
• Vaginal cancer
• Vulval cancer

How Does Smoking Affect HPV?

Smoking makes it harder for your body to clear HPV. Cigarette smoke contains thousands of harmful chemicals and nicotine. These chemicals can:

• Weaken the immune system
• Reduce the body's ability to fight infection
• Damage cervical cells directly
• Increase inflammation

This means:

• HPV is more likely to persist
• Cell changes are more likely to develop
• The risk of cervical cancer increases
• Treatment for abnormal cells may be less effective

Research shows that people who smoke are significantly more likely to develop high-grade cervical cell changes compared with non-smokers.

Stopping smoking improves your body's ability to fight HPV.

Why Stopping Smoking Matters

If you:

• Have tested positive for HPV
• Have abnormal cervical screening results
• Are under colposcopy follow-up
• Have had treatment for cervical cell changes

Stopping smoking is one of the most important things you can do to reduce your future cancer risk.

Quitting smoking can:

• Improve your immune response
• Reduce the likelihood of persistent HPV infection
• Lower the risk of recurrence after treatment
• Support healing after treatment

Even stopping for a short period can make a difference.

Concerned About Coping Without Smoking?

Many people worry that quitting smoking will increase stress.

Nicotine is addictive, but it is not the substance that causes cancer. The harm comes from tobacco smoke.

We can provide:

• Nicotine replacement therapy (patches and fast-acting products)
• Specialist behavioural support
• Follow-up calls
• Personalised advice

You do not have to quit alone.

How to Get Support at UHNM

If you would like help to stop smoking:

• Speak to your gynaecology nurse or doctor
• Ask for a referral to the Tobacco Dependency Team
• Contact the on-site smoking cessation clinic
• Access community support after discharge

Support is available for patients, staff and visitors.

The Evidence: Smoking, HPV and Cervical Cancer

National guidance and research show that smoking increases the risk of persistent HPV infection and cervical cancer.

• The NHS Cervical Screening Programme identifies smoking as a significant risk factor for cervical cancer.
• People who smoke are around twice as likely to develop cervical cancer compared with non-smokers.
• Smoking weakens the immune system, making it harder for the body to clear HPV naturally.
• Harmful chemicals from tobacco smoke have been found in cervical mucus, meaning smoking can directly affect cervical cells.
• Stopping smoking improves immune function and reduces the risk of ongoing cell changes.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends that healthcare professionals use opportunities such as screening results, abnormal findings and follow-up appointments to support people to stop smoking.

Stopping smoking is one of the most effective actions you can take to reduce your risk of cervical cancer.

Why This Matters if You Are HPV Positive

If you have tested positive for HPV or have abnormal cervical cells, quitting smoking can:

• Increase your chance of clearing HPV
• Reduce the likelihood of further cell changes
• Reduce the risk of recurrence after treatment
• Support better healing following colposcopy or other procedures

Even if you have recently received a positive HPV result, stopping smoking now can still make a difference.

Quitting smoking has immediate and long-lasting benefits:

• Better recovery from surgery: wounds heal faster and the risk of infection is reduced.
• Improved breathing: lung function starts to improve within weeks.
• Lower risks: reduced chance of heart attack, stroke, and cancer.
• More energy: better sleep, fitness, and overall well-being.
• Protecting others: less exposure to harmful second-hand smoke for your family and friends.

For people who already smoke, vaping can be a useful tool to help quit, and it is much less harmful than smoking.
⚠️ However, if you have never smoked, you should not vape.

There are a range of safe and effective treatments available to help you stop smoking.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)

·         Provides nicotine without the harmful chemicals in tobacco.

·         Helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

·         Available as patches, gum, lozenges, sprays, or inhalators.

·         At UHNM we are working to make NRT free and available to every patient who needs it.

Varenicline

·         A tablet that reduces cravings and makes smoking less rewarding.

·         Often used as part of a 12-week programme with advisor support.

Cytisine

·         A plant-based medicine that works in a similar way to varenicline.

·         Has been used in Europe for many years and is becoming more available in the UK.

We understand quitting smoking is not easy – but you don’t have to do it alone.

You can be referred for stop smoking support while you are in hospital, both inpatients and outpatients.

What’s included in the 12-week stop smoking programme?

·         Personal support from a trained Tobacco Dependency Advisor

·         A quit plan tailored to you and your lifestyle

·         Access to treatments such as nicotine replacement therapy (patches, lozenges, sprays, inhalators)

·         Prescription options where suitable (e.g. varenicline or cytisine)

·         Regular check-ins (face-to-face or phone) to track progress and stay motivated

·         Tips and strategies to cope with cravings and triggers

·         Ongoing encouragement to help you quit for good