One hundred and twenty-seven women were recruited. For patients, the mean REALM score was 64.3 (≥US 9th grade/reading age 14 years). The mean SMOG score of patient education materials was 80.5 (reading age 17 years). The mean FRE score of patient education materials was 55.7 (reading age 15-17 years). All patient information sheets assessed were written at ≥8th grade (reading age 13 years) and as a result up to 9% of patients would be unable to read them. Nineteen per cent of the population had inadequate functional health literacy.