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)


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