22/09/2011

300,000 Women Benefit From Free Cancer Checks

Free cervical cancer checks in Ireland have helped diagnose over 100 women.

More than 300,000 free cervical cancer checks were carried out in Ireland between September 2009 and August 2010. Out of these, 145 women were diagnosed with the disease.

The National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS) has published the results of its CervicalCheck Programme for that period.

More than 85% of tests were deemed normal. 12.5% showed low-grade abnormalities, whilst 2% showed high-grade abnormalities.

Women aged between 25 and 60 are eligible for the free test.

The National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS) was established by the Minister for Health and Children in 2007. It followed a strategy in 2006 that aimed to help control cancer in Ireland.

In Ireland there are on average 180 cases of cervical cancer per year and 73 deaths. According to the report the average age of diagnosis is 46 years of age.

The cervical check became available to over 1.1 million women in September 2008.

(LB/BMcC)


Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

23 January 2012
European Cervical Cancer Week Commences
Fine Gael have highlighted European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, calling on women to take greater care over thier health. The week began on Sunday and runs from to January 28, with awareness events taking place nationwide.
23 August 2013
Socioeconomic Inequalities Identified In Uptake Of Cervical Cancer Screening
A working paper published by NUI Galway economists points to important differences in uptake of cervical cancer screening. The study compared uptake of cervical cancer screening in Ireland, Northern Ireland, England and the US.
17 August 2007
Delay In Irish Cancer Screening Programme
The National Cancer Screening Programme, which was promised for November has been delayed. The programme was set up under the establishment of the National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS) Board in January 2007, and is aimed at reducing the number of cancer deaths a year.
08 August 2019
CervicalCheck In Need Of 'Root And Branch Reform'
Ireland's CervicalCheck is in need of "root and branch reform" in light of the MacCraith Report. Speaking this morning on foot of reports that CervicalCheck sent letters with incorrect smear test results to 400 women, Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Louise O'Reilly TD, said that the situation was "almost surreal".
03 September 2012
Call For Women To Raise Funds For Cancer
The Irish Cancer Society is calling on every woman in Ireland to come together and Get the Girls doing something throughout the months of September and October to combat breast cancer.