One in five Irish women have never had a cervical smear test, according to new research published yesterday. The findings have been described as worrying by the Irish Cancer Society because it means many women are not availing of a simple test that could detect abnormal cells in the cervix before they become cancerous.
The lack of a national cervical screening programme is seen as the main reason why many women do not attend for smears.
But Minister for Health Mary Harney has promised to introduce a national screening programme by 2008.
The research carried out for the society found women were not attending for smears at present either because of a fear of what was involved or because of a fear of what would be detected.
Only 10 per cent of 500 women in the 20-60 age group surveyed knew that not having regular smear tests might contribute to them getting cervical cancer.
Dr Gráinne Flannelly, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at the National Maternity Hospital, said a national cervical cancer screening programme could not come a minute too soon.
It would mean all women could have smear tests at regular intervals free of charge.
They would then not have to choose between having a smear test and buying a pair of shoes for their child going back to school, she said.
Cancer society chief executive John McCormack said the research indicated that the Health Service Executive should conduct campaigns to educate women that having regular smears might save their lives.
Around 70 Irish women die from cervical cancer every year,which is one of the highest rates in western Europe.