Cervical Cancer
Awareness Measure
(Cervical CAM)
This survey instrument (the Cervical CAM) was developed by the UCL Health Behaviour Research
Centre, in collaboration with the Department of Health Cancer Team and The Eve Appeal, with funding
from The Eve Appeal. It forms part of the Cervical Cancer Awareness and Symptoms Initiative
(CCASI). It is based on a generic CAM developed by Cancer Research UK, University College
London, King’s College London and Oxford University in 2007-08.
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1. There are many warning signs and symptoms of cervical cancer. Please name as many as you
can think of:
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2. The following may or may not be warning signs for cervical cancer. We are interested in your
opinion:
Yes No Don’t know
Do you think vaginal bleeding between periods
could be a sign of cervical cancer?
Do you think persistent lower back pain could be a
sign of cervical cancer?
Do you think a persistent vaginal discharge that
smells unpleasant could be a sign of cervical
cancer?
Do you think discomfort or pain during sex could be
a sign of cervical cancer?
Do you think menstrual periods that are heavier or
longer than usual could be a sign of cervical
cancer?
Do you think persistent diarrhoea could be a sign
of cervical cancer?
Do you think vaginal bleeding after the menopause
could be a sign of cervical cancer?
Do you think persistent pelvic pain could be a sign
of cervical cancer?
Do you think vaginal bleeding during or after sex
could be a sign of cervical cancer?
Do you think blood in the stool or urine could be a
sign of cervical cancer?
Do you think unexplained weight loss could be a
sign of cervical cancer?
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3. If you had a symptom that you thought might be a sign of cervical cancer how soon would you
contact your doctor to make an appointment to discuss it?
4. In the next year, who is most likely to develop cervical cancer in the UK?
a) A woman aged 20 to 29 years
b) A woman aged 30 to 49 years
c) A woman aged 50 to 69 years
d) A woman aged 70 or over
e) Cervical cancer is unrelated to age
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5. What things do you think affect a woman’s chance of developing cervical cancer?
Cervical Cancer Awareness Measure Toolkit 18
6. The following may or may not increase a woman’s chance of developing cervical cancer. How
much do you agree that each of these can increase a woman’s chance of developing cervical
cancer?
Strongly Disagree Not sure Agree Strongly
disagree agree
Infection with HPV (human
papillomavirus)
Smoking any cigarettes at all
Having a weakened immune system
(e.g. because of HIV/AIDS,
immunosuppressant drugs or having
a transplant)
Long term use of the contraceptive
pill
Infection with Chlamydia (a sexually
transmitted infection)
Having a sexual partner who is not
circumcised
Starting to have sex at a young age
(before age 17)
Having many sexual partners
Having many children
Having a sexual partner with many
previous partners
Not going for regular smear (Pap)
tests
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7. How confident are you that you would notice a cervical cancer symptom?
Not at all confident Not very confident Fairly confident Very confident
Yes No Don’t
know
8a. As far as you are aware, is there an NHS cervical
cancer screening programme?
8b. If yes, at what age are women first invited for cervical cancer screening in England?
_______
Yes No Don’t
know
9a. As far as you are aware, is there an NHS
vaccination to protect against cervical cancer?
9b. If yes, at what age is this offered? _______
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