We’re all busy dealing with everyday pressures and commitments, but taking five minutes out of your day and arrange your free CervicalCheck smear test could save your life. A smear test only takes a few minutes, and if you haven’t had one in three years or more, it needs to be on your to-do list.
A smear test checks for abnormalities of the neck of the womb (cervix); it’s the best way of detecting HPV virus and preventing cervical cancer. HPV or human papilloma virus is an extremely common virus transmitted via skin-on-skin contact. Approximately eight out of ten adults have had the infection at some time during their lives, and it rarely produces any effects. However, about 5 per cent of smear tests shows up abnormalities. One to two per cent will develop pre-cancerous cells and a tiny minority of these progress to get cervical cancer. About 200 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in Ireland each year.
CervicalCheck, the national cervical-screening programme, provides free smear tests for women aged 25 to 60. There is a choice of over 4,150 male and female smeartakers (GPs doctors and practice nurses) nationwide.
You don’t need an invitation letter or to register with CervicalCheck. To arrange a smear test, simply contact a registered smeartaker of your choice to make an appointment. GPs, practice nurses, Women’s Health, Family Planning and Well Woman Clinics all over Ireland are registered to provide free smear tests. To find out who is on the registered list of smeartakers in Co Mayo, call CervicalCheck on Freephone 1800 454555 or visit www.cervicalcheck.ie.
If you have already had a CervicalCheck smear test, CervicalCheck will write to you when your next smear test is due. (If you’ve changed address, remember to let CervicalCheck know your new contact details.)
Women should have a smear test every three to five years, depending on their age. Most smear test results are found to be perfectly normal and CervicalCheck will contact you about your results within four weeks of having your free smear test.
Facts and stats
- HPV is one of the main causes of cervical cancer
- Smoking and not having regular smear tests can increases your risk
- Around 200 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in Ireland every year
- Cervical cancer is the second most common female cancer in Europe
