Cervical Check- The National Cervical Screening Programme
CervicalCheck – The National Cervical Screening Programme
The National Cervical Screening Programme became available to over 1.1 million eligible women aged 25 to 60 on 1 September 2008. CervicalCheck provides free smear tests to women aged 25 to 60. A smear test is a simple procedure that only takes minutes and is the most effective way to detect changes in the cells of the cervix.
The overall aim of CervicalCheck is to reduce the incidence rate of cervical cancer by detecting cell changes before they become cancerous. Over time, a successful national, quality assured cervical screening programme in Ireland has the potential to significantly reduce mortality rates in the screened population. In Finland, mortality rates have dropped by 80 per cent over the last four decades.
Screening is recommended every three years for women aged 25 to 44 and following two consecutive ‘no abnormality detected’ results at three yearly intervals, every five years for women aged 45 to 60, in line with best international practice. A woman can choose to have a free smear test with any registered smeartaker (GP or Practice Nurse), in any location of her choice, such as GP practices, Women’s Health, Family Planning and Well Woman Clinics. Over 4,150 GPs, practice nurses and medical practitioners in over 1,400 locations are registered to take smear tests as part of the Programme.
Since launched on 1 September 2008, CervicalCheck has proved very successful.
The response from women nationwide to the Programme has been exceptional, with uptake remaining consistently high. In 2009 alone, almost 281,000 women received a CervicalCheck smear test.
The CervicalCheck Register
CervicalCheck has developed a register (list) of eligible women nationwide aged 25 to 60 through up-to-date information received from the Department of Social and Family Affairs and also from women who have self-registered.
CervicalCheck sends an invitation by post to all women on this list during each three year screening round.
Women who have never had a CervicalCheck Smear Test
Women who have never had a CervicalCheck smear test need a letter of invitation from CervicalCheck to have a free smear test. With an invitation letter, women can have a free smear test with any smeartaker that is registered with CervicalCheck.
Women who Have Not Had a Smear Test in the Last Three Years
Any woman who has not had a smear test in the last three years can self-register and request an early invitation letter from CervicalCheck by registering online at www.cervicalcheck.ie or completing and returning a Freepost self-registration form or by calling Freephone1800 45 45 55.
Cervical Screening and Pregnancy
Having a smear test during pregnancy may be psychologically difficult or inappropriate for women. The same can be said of having a smear test shortly after pregnancy.
Women do not need to have a cervical smear test postnatally unless they are due to have one within a usual call, re-call period. The call, re-call period is every three years for women aged 25 to 44 and every five years for women aged 45 to 60.
Women who are pregnant and who have gone three years without having a smear test and who have not had an abnormal smear test result can have their smear test deferred. The smeartaker will complete a deferral form and send it to CervicalCheck. CervicalCheck will advise the woman when her next smear test is due.
If a woman receives a letter of invitation from CervicalCheck to have a free smear test and she is pregnant the smear test can also be deferred and again a deferral form will be completed by the smeartaker and sent to CervicalCheck.
If a woman had a previous smear test that had an abnormal result and in the interim becomes pregnant the test can be taken mid trimester unless there is a medical reason not to take the smear test.
The Screening Promotion Team
CervicalCheck has a designated team of Screening Promotion Officers based in different areas across the country. Individual team members are based in Cork, Dublin, Galway and Limerick. The Screening Promotion team is available to work Public Health Nurses and Community RGNS who would like to collaborate in order to increase awareness and reduce barriers which prevent women from accessing the Programme. If you have a query in relation to the work of the Screening Promotion team or if you would like to contact the Screening Promotion Officer in your area please email screening.promotion@cancerscreening.ie
For further information
www.cervicalcheck.ie Freephone: 1800 45 45 55
For promotional leaflets, self registration forms and posters contact screening.promotion@cancerscreening.ie
