CervicalCheck - The National Cervical Screening Programme recommends that all women aged 25 to 60 should attend for regular smear tests. In line with best international practice and the guidelines of the World Health Organisation, CervicalCheck provides free smear tests to women aged 25 to 44 every three years and, on receipt of two consecutive 'no abnormality detected' smear test results, every five years to women aged 45 to 60.
Commenting, Dr Marian O'Reilly, Head of Cervical Screening at the National Cancer Screening Service said: "Cervical screening by smear test is the most effective way of detecting pre-cancerous cells and reducing a woman's risk of later developing cervical cancer. Every woman aged 25 to 60 should attend for a regular smear test. In addition to regular screening, it is crucial that any woman who receives an abnormal smear test result or a recommendation for further investigation or treatment does not ignore this advice. The vast majority of women screened are found to be perfectly healthy, however the earlier cell changes are found, the easier they are to treat."
Women can arrange an appointment to have a smear test with a CervicalCheck-registered smeartaker (doctor or practice nurse) of their choice. CervicalCheck has registered 4,050 GPs, practice nurses, Women's Health, Family Planning and Well Woman Clinics in over 1,400 locations nationwide. Details fo registered smeartakers can be found online at www.cervicalcheck.ie or by calling Freephone 1800 45 45 55.
In women under the age of 25, minor cell changes in the cervix are common - but invasive cancer is extremely rare. In the last 10 years in Ireland, there were two deaths from cervical cancer in women aged under 25 years*. Irrespective of her age, any woman who has symptoms or concerns regarding cervical cancer should seek the advice of a doctor.
A smear test is a screening test, not a diagnostic test.
*National Cancer Registry, Ireland
Notes to editor:
- In general, population-based screening programmes operate on an active call/recall system whereby the programme invites selected cohorts of the population for screening at specific times and recall them when their next smear test is due.
- It is the intent of CervicalCheck to move to an active call/recall system of screening.
- Since the launch of CervicalCheck on 01 September 2008, the programme has been made available to all eligible women aged 25 to 60 to ensure no woman was refused a smear test if requested.
- Similar to the system used by BreastCheck, call/recall is generally based on either geographical location, date or year of birth.