National Cervical Screening from September

CervicalCheck, Ireland’s first National Cervical Screening Programme, will begin operating from 01 September next, the National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS) has announced.

The National Cervical Screening Programme, which will be funded by the Department of Health and Children, will provide free smear tests through primary care settings to the 1.1 million women aged 25-60 eligible for screening. A successful national programme in Ireland has the potential to cut current mortality rates from cervical cancer by up to 80%.

A CervicalCheck website - www.cervicalcheck.ie - will also be available from 01 September. It will list all GPs registered to carry out the smear tests (smeartakers) under the CervicalCheck Programme. Women can then choose a smeartaker of their choice in their local area.

For more information go to www.cancerscreening.ie

Posted Monday 18th August 2008