Female HPV Study

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Cancer Research Center of Hawaii

Female HPV Study
What is the Female HPV Study?
The Female HPV study, funded by the National Cancer Institute, involves studying Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) among women in Hawai'i. The study will identify factors that affect an HPV infection and may increase the risk of developing cervical cancer, such as the kinds of foods you eat and your immune characteristics. The Principal Investigator is Marc T Goodman, Ph.D.
Who is eligible to participate in the HPV Partner Study?
You may qualify for this study if you are female, at least 18 years of age, not currently pregnant or at least 6 months post-partum, have been sexually active within the past 6 months, have not had a hysterectomy, have not had surgery for abnormal pap smear within the past 18 months, not immune-compromised (e.g., transplant recipient, HIV-positive, or within 6 months cancer chemotherapy), no history of blood-clotting disorders, and plan to reside on Oahu two years or more. Women do not have to be infected with HPV to participate in the study.
What does this study involve?
The first study visit will take about 1 1/2 hours. You may be asked to return for follow up study visits which will take about 1 hour; if so, you will be asked to come for up to 15 visits over a period of 5 years. At each visit you will have a Pap smear and samples (swabs, brushes or washes) taken of your cervix, vulva, and vaginal walls to test for pH level, inflammatory cells, infection with HPV, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhea, and herpes simplex virus, and to measure small proteins called cytokines that help fight off infection. At each visit the study clinician will also take a sample (swabbing) of your hand, mouth and, if you choose, of your anal-rectal region to look for infection with HPV. A fasting blood sample will be taken to measure nutrients and you will be asked questions about yourself and your lifestyle.
What will a participant receive from the HPV Study?
You will receive free Pap tests, free HPV testing, a free diet analysis, free parking, and $40 compensation for time and travel. The study will not provide or pay for any treatment.
HOW DO I PARTICIPATE?
Please contact the HPV Study Line at 564-5977.
Website: www.hawaii.edu/hpv/ Email: hpv@crch.hawaii.edu