In support of European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (19 to 25 January 2014), CervicalCheck – The National Cervical Screening Programme (www.cervicalcheck.ie) reminds women aged 25 to 60 how important it is to have their smear test.
Worryingly, CervicalCheck is aware that women aged over 50 are less likely to have their smear test. Even if you are aged over 50, have reached the menopause or have finished having your family, you still need to have a regular smear test.
Dr Gráinne Flannelly, Clinical Director of CervicalCheck says: “Having regular smear tests is very important for women as changes can be picked up and treated before cancer develops. Keeping up to date with regular smears is a really valuable step in protecting yourself from this preventable disease. In the first five years of the CervicalCheck programme 875,000 eligible women have taken this step.
Of course, we live busy lives, and it can be hard to keep track of everything, but this week is the perfect reminder to each woman aged 25 to 60 to take the time to check when your next test is due. It’s easy to check the date your next smear test is due on www.cervicalcheck.ie or by calling Freephone 1800 45 45 55.”
I urge those who have not yet had a smear test to attend. Make the time - it is simple to arrange an appointment, for most women the result will be absolutely normal and a smear test is nothing to be embarrassed about - it is free and only takes a few minutes. Remember doctors and practice nurses all over Ireland do more than six thousand smear tests a week.”
CervicalCheck – The National Cervical Screening Programme provides free smear tests for women aged 25 to 60. There is a choice of over 4,700 male and female smeartakers (GPs doctors and practice nurses) nationwide – and it’s free. You don’t need an invitation letter or to register with CervicalCheck. To arrange a smear test simply contact a registered smeartaker of your choice to make an appointment. GPs, practice nurses, Women’s Health, Family Planning and Well Woman Clinics all over Ireland are registered to provide free smear tests. For details of all registered smeartakers in the country visit www.cervicalcheck.ie or call CervicalCheck on Freephone 1800 45 45 55.
If you have already had a CervicalCheck smear test, CervicalCheck will write to you when your next smear test is due. You can also find the date your next test is due by checking online at www.cervicalcheck.ie.
A smear test can pick up cell changes on the cervix (neck of the womb). If these cell changes are not found and treated, over time they can turn into cancer cells. A CervicalCheck smear test is a really simple procedure that only takes minutes – and it’s free.
During European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, CervicalCheck are partnering with the Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA) to promote awareness about cervical cancer prevention. The Pearl of Wisdom is the international emblem of cervical cancer prevention and, to promote awareness of the disease, the IFPA has distributed 20,000 Pearl of Wisdom pins and information leaflets to women across the country through some pharmacists, occupational health nurses, and other health promotion networks, including the Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Centres and various community organisations.
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For further information or to arrange an interview on the benefits and importance of having a smear test, contact Aoife O’Sullivan or Sheila Caulfield, CervicalCheck, on 01-8659300.