Younger women aged 25-29 are more likely to have regular cervical smear tests than older women, with only 64 per cent of Irish women aged 55-59 availing of the free health service.
According to CervicalCheck, the national cervical screening programme, the number of Irish women having regular tests since the introduction of the State’s smear test programme in 2008 has risen substantially. To date, the screening programme has provided over two million free smear tests.
The latest figures show 79 per cent of women aged 25-29 have participated in a screening since 2008, while a total of 76 per cent of all Irish women have attended a cervical check. However, this number begins to drop as women grow older.
European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week
The Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA) is now calling on Irish women to "share the wisdom" as part of European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week and remind female friends, relatives and colleagues to have regular smear tests.
Cervical cancer is a cancer of the cells of the neck of the womb. Every year 60,000 women develop and 30,000 women die from cervical cancer around Europe. In Ireland, about 300 women are diagnosed with the disease every year.
Women aged 25-60 are advised to have a smear test every three to five years, depending on their age.
IFPA medical director Dr Caitríona Henchion says the number of women having smear tests must continue to grow to ensure the safe health of Irish women.
“76 per cent of eligible women have so far availed of screening with CervicalCheck,” said Dr Henchion. “A smear test picks up any changes to a woman’s cervix and ensures early treatment. It only takes a few minutes and it’s completely free.
“Cervical cancer is one of the main cancers affecting women in Ireland, with about 300 diagnoses each year. But the good news is that it can be prevented through regular screening.”
Dr Henchion is calling on women to wear one of the IFPA Pearl of Wisdom pins to remind female friends and family to avail of the free smear tests.
The European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week aims to raise awareness of the benefits of cervical screening and the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, and ensure health care providers have up-to-date information for patients. Most cases of cervical cancer are caused by infection of certain high-risk types of HPV, the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world.
Between 50-80 per cent of sexually active women will contract some form of HPV during their life, although only a small proportion will develop cervical cancer.
Early diagnosis
Gráinne O'Rourke from the Irish Cancer Society also highlighted the importance of women aged 25-60 attending a clinic for regular smear tests, adding that early diagnosis of cervical cancer could save many more lives in the State.
“One of the very clear ways that prevention can prevail is in the area of cervical cancer because once it’s caught early, it’s highly treatable,” said Ms O’Rourke. “Women go on to lead normal, healthy lives if they are diagnosed. Like a lot of cancers, the earlier it’s diagnosed, the better the prognosis.”
For more information on cervical smear tests or to check when your next test is, visit www.cervicalcheck.ie or freephone 1800 45 45 55.
