New Irish research has shown that women who smoke are at greater risk of picking up human papillaoma virus (HPV) infection, the main cause of cervical cancer.

More than a thousand women with low-grade cervical abnormalities on their smear test were recruited for this study at Holles Strteet National Maternity Hospital, which followed the women over a period of 36 months from the time at which they had their first abnormal pap smear.

Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor associated with cervical cancer, and results of this study showed that women with detectable nicotine metabolite, called cotinine, in their urine sample were at a higher risk of acquiring a HPV infection than those who were not exposed to tobacco smoke.

Also, women with high levels of cotinine appear to be at an increased risk of developing high grade cervical pre-cancer compared to non-smokers.

Results from the research showed that 37% of smokers and 43% of heavy smokers (more than 10 cigarettes per day) compared to 24% of non-smokers developed a high grade cervical pre-cancer.

The aim of this study, led by Irish Cancer Society Research Scholar,  Christine White, and the CERVIVA research consortium headed by Prof John O'Leary and Dr Cara Martin at Trinity College and The Coombe Hospital, was to establish the impact of smoking on women's risk of developing cervical pre-cancer.

The study forms part of a larger study underway within CERVIVA, which is evaluating different ways to improve the management of women with persistent low grade cervical smears.

Ms White said the study highlighted the harmful effects of tobacco smoke on women's health.

"We know that women who smoke have less immune cells in the cervix and our results have shown that these women are at greater risk of the HPV infection, and find it harder to fight off, putting them at a higher risk of getting cervical cancer."

Cancer of the cervix is cancer of the cells lining the cervix. Cervical cancer develops slowly over a number of years.

At first it develops abnormal changes, which are called pre-cancerous, and then leads to cancer itself. These abnormal cells are called CIN (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia). These cells are not cancerous but if left untreated may develop into cancer.

The research was funded by a €120,000 grant from the Irish Cancer Society.

Find out more here about cervical cancer