Some women still missing out on cancer screening Over-50s less likely to get cervical test

MORE women than ever are getting screened for cervical cancer but those aged over 50 are less likely to get checked, experts have said.

Cervicalcheck also revealed women from counties including Clare,

Kilkenny, Laois, Monaghan, Offaly and Roscommon don’t get checks as much as those in other parts of the country.

The figures for The National Cervical Screening Programme 2014/15 report were released yesterday as it marked seven years in operation.

Under the scheme all women aged between 25 and 60 are entitled to free tests at more than 4,500 registered practitioners every three to five years, depending on their age.

Around 300 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in Ireland every year, 6,500 are treated for pre-cancerous forms and 90 pass away from the disease.

It’s highly preventable and screening to detect changes to the cervix before they develop into cancer.

The amount of women getting tested through the programme jumped from 77% to 78.7% during 2014/15.

Of the 281,928 screened, 83% were aged between 25 and 49 and 13% were aged 50 to 60.

Dr Grainne Flannelly of Cervicalcheck urged women who are eligible to avail of the free service and get tested.

She said: “Cervical cancer takes a long time to develop and often has no symptoms, which is why regular screening is crucial.”