Women in the mid-west region are to be encouraged to register for free cervical screening as part of a national programme aimed at reducing the number of deaths from cervical cancer.
Phase one of the National Cervical Screening Programme, which covers the Mid-Western Health Board area, is targeting about 67,000 women in the 25-60 age group, who will be offered screening, free of charge, at minimum intervals of five years.
The programme was launched yesterday in Limerick by the Minister of State for Health and Children, Dr Tom Moffatt.
There were 965 new cases of cervical cancer in 1997, resulting in 82 deaths, and "many of these can be avoided", said the Minister.
The programme, which is part of the National Cancer Strategy, aims to achieve over 80 per cent participation for women aged between 25 and 60.
A register of women in this age group in the region has been compiled using information gathered under the Health Provision of Information Act 1997.
They will be invited by letter to have a cervical smear test carried out by their GP, or at a family planning or health clinic, said Dr Marian O'Reilly, project leader for Phase One, Mid-Western Health Board.
The programme is encouraging self-registration. Women should check to see if they are on the register by ringing 1850-252600. Women can register using forms which are distributed in GP surgeries, pharmacies and health centres.
They can also register online, at the programme's website at www.icsp.ie.
Dr O'Reilly stressed "cervical screening is a preventative measure for cancer, not a test for cancer. It is a test for a change in cells which can then be treated before they are able to develop into cancer".
In addition, appropriate support and counselling will be provided for women who have abnormal smears and require further treatment.
A key element of phase one has been to deliver a service of the highest quality, in line with guidelines set down by the Expert Advisory Group on Cervical Screening, said the Minister.
There have been improved facilities and increased staffing in cervical cytology services, which examine the results of smear tests, in St Luke's Hospital, Dublin, and University College Hospital, Galway. A refurbished clinic in the Regional Maternity Hospital, Limerick, has a colposcopy service, which is a diagnostic and treatment service.
It also has a new gynaecology oncologist consultant, Dr Kevin Hickey.
The method of extending the current programme to the rest of the State is currently being considered by the Department of Health and Children, the Expert Advisory Group on Cervical Screening and the CEOs of the health boards.