Ahead of Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, the HSE asks eligible women to check the CervicalCheck register
Marking Cervical Cancer Prevention Week from 22 – 28 January, HSE CervicalCheck asks women and people with a cervix to #ChooseScreening and check the online register to find out when they are due their next screening test. Attending screening appointments when they are due can reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer.
If you are already registered, CervicalCheck writes to you to invite you to attend for your cervical screening test when it’s due, but you can also check the online register to:
- find out when you are due your next screening test
- update your address if you have moved.
If you don’t already get screening invitation letters from CervicalCheck and are eligible for free HPV screening, it may mean you are not registered or your details are out of date, so please check the register.
Professor Nóirín Russell, CervicalCheck Clinical Director, HSE, explained: “The first step is to check the register online to find out if you are eligible. We also encourage you to check and update your contact details so we can invite you for your test when the time comes, and send your test results.”
If you are still unsure about eligibility or have concerns, please talk to your GP or general practice nurse. If you don’t have a GP - you can still book your free HPV cervical screening test with any of the 4,000 GPs or nurses on our register. You can find out about clinics near you on the HSE website.”
CervicalCheck offers HPV cervical screening every three years to women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 29; and every five years to those aged 30 to 65 years. When you get an invitation, it means it is time to book your screening test with your GP or nurse.
Kim Hanly, patient advocate, has spent over a decade supporting women and raising awareness of cervical cancer. Kim had her first cervical screening test in 2012 as a 26-year-old mother of two young children. The test found abnormal cells in her cervix. Following referral to colposcopy, Kim was told she had cervical cancer. “Cervical cancer is a cruel disease. It took half of my 20s and all of my 30s. When I hear a woman saying that she heard my story and went for screening, I know my advocacy work is worthwhile,” shared Kim.
The best way to prevent or reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer is to:
Dr Sarah Fitzgibbon, Primary Care Clinical Advisor with CervicalCheck said: “Never ignore symptoms of cervical cancer, even if you have had a recent normal screening result. Cervical cancer often has no symptoms in its early stages which is why attending for screening when invited is important. The most common symptom of cervical cancer is abnormal bleeding from the vagina. Contact your GP if you experience any type of unusual bleeding from the vagina, vaginal spotting or unusual discharge, pain during sex, bleeding after sex or pain in your pelvis (anywhere between your belly button and the top of your thighs). If you have symptoms, don’t wait for a screening test.’’
The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV that are most likely to cause cervical cancer. The vaccine is most effective when it is given to people before they have a chance to get the virus – young girls and boys starting secondary school.
It’s still important to go for cervical screening even if you have been vaccinated against HPV. The vaccine does not protect against all HPV types, and in addition, not all cases of cervical cancer are HPV-related.
Dr Caroline Mason Mohan, Director of Public Health, HSE National Screening Service said: “‘Ireland is now on track to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040 - the first cancer where we have had this opportunity. Elimination means making cervical cancer rare. We have around 10.4 cases of cervical cancer per 100,000 women - elimination is defined as having fewer than 4 cases per 100,000 women. Success depends on us all working together. For the public this means taking three simple steps: get the HPV vaccine when it is offered; choose screening and get screened regularly from age 25 to 65 years old; and attend for further tests and treatment if you are advised.”
Cervical screening is for women who do not have any symptoms of cervical cancer. Finding HPV and changes to cells in the cervix early, before a person has symptoms, and removing these abnormal cells, is the best way to prevent and reduce the risk of cervical cancer developing.
Research tells us that women diagnosed with cervical cancer are more likely to have the cancer found at an earlier stage when detected at screening, compared to women who are not screened. When cervical cancer is found at an early stage, it can be easier to treat and there is a better chance of recovery.
For more information about cervical screening and to check you’re on the cervical screening register, go to www.hse.ie/cervicalcheck or call Freephone 1800 55 45 45 or contact info@cervicalcheck.ie
Last updated on: 19 / 01 / 2024
