Tailored screening for transplanted women
The increased risk after organ transplantation is partly due to effective immunosuppressive treatments, which raise the likelihood of both skin cancer and viral infections in the cervix. Previous studies have shown that transplanted women more frequently carry high-risk HPV types, which can lead to cervical cell changes and, in rare cases, cervical cancer.
'The cervical cancer screening program in Denmark is designed for healthy women. But should it also apply to organ-transplanted women? Or should they, in fact, be screened more frequently, for instance, every year? This is what we aim to answer with this project,' states Chief Physician Helle Kiellberg Larsen from Bispebjerg Hospital, who is part of the research group.
With 600 transplanted women and 600 control subjects, this is the largest study of its kind in Denmark. The researchers will examine which HPV types the women have and the actual risk of developing cervical cell changes. The project will contribute new knowledge about risk factors that, in the long term, may help improve the prevention of cervical and skin cancer among transplanted women.
The project is initiated by Professor Merete Hædersdal from the Danish Research Center for Skin Cancer and Professor Susanne Krüger Kjær from the Danish Cancer Society and is being conducted in collaboration with dermatology departments at Bispebjerg Hospital, Gentofte Hospital, Zealand University Hospital, the Pathology Department at Vejle Hospital, and the Danish Cancer Society.
The research project has been awarded a grant from the Danish Kidney Association's Research Fund.
