WOMEN AGED between 25 and 60 can now avail of free smear tests as part of CervicalCheck, the State’s first national cervical screening programme.
Free tests will be provided every three years for women aged 25 to 44 and every five years for women aged 45 to 60. The purpose of screening is to detect cell changes before they become cancerous.
Results will be provided within four weeks of the smear test. Most results will be found to be normal, with only a small number of women requiring further investigation or treatment, according to CervicalCheck.
Its aim is to reduce the incidence of, and death rate from, cervical cancer in Ireland.
A successful screening programme has the potential to cut current mortality rates from cervical cancer by up to 80 per cent, according to CervicalCheck.
A contract for the provision of smear taking services has been issued directly to GPs and medical practitioners throughout the State. Once relevant documentation is completed, registered GPs and medical practitioners can provide free CervicalCheck smear tests.
Tony O’Brien, chief executive of the National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS) said around 1,450 GPs, practice nurses, Family Planning and Well Woman clinics had registered to provide the tests.
“Feedback has been extremely positive and the NCSS anticipates that national coverage of participating GPs and medical practitioners will build incrementally during the coming weeks,” he said.
For details of registered smear takers, call CervicalCheck on freephone 1800-45 45 55 or visit cervicalcheck.ie