Nurse explores link between cervical cancer and smoking.

A pamphlet alerting Maori women to the harmful effects cigarette smoking has on the cervix has been produced by Christchurch Hospital colposcopy nurse Jill Lamb. "Research relating to this has been documented for many years and is widely available in medical literature. But this information iss not readily available to women in general," she said. So when Lamb's postgraduate certificate studies for her clinical nursing qualifications called for a project in her area, the issue of female health was obvious.

Initially the pamphlet was to have been designed in English, but as Lamb identified more factors, she decided Maori women should be its prime focus. "Maori women have been identified as having the highest rates of smoking and cervical cancer. So the pamphlet was designed with an emphasis on conveying the message in a culturally appropriate way. The overall aim has been to benefit Maori clients by respecting cultural and lifestyle differences."

Lamb, who earlier this year became a QUIT card provider, raises the issue with patients whenever she can and finds many very receptive. "When women are presented with the knowledge that smoking doubles the risk of cervical abnormalities and that for those women with low-grade cervical abnormalities who stop smoking, there is a regression of the lesion, the likelihood of smoking cessation will be higher. There is often real surprise that there is a link between smoking and cervical cancer, and many women have subsequently expressed a desire to give up smoking. I've been able to refer them to their GP and to smoking cessation programmes and I follow their progress by giving them a phone call once a week for 12 weeks."

The production of the pamphlet called for Lamb to work closely with local Maori women who approved the design and words. She intends producing a pamphlet in English and is also considering one for Pacific women, and even contemplating one for Asian women, although their smoking rates are much lower than other groups.

Lamb is also interested in doing some master's level research into the outcomes for women who have had colposcopy treatment for cervical cancer and who either continue smoking or quit smoking.