Cervical cancer: Women may soon be able to carry out smear tests at home

Eva Osborne

Women may soon be able to self-administer a smear test at home.

It comes as a new report forecasts Ireland is on track to eliminate cervical cancer within 15 years.

Marking the first World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day, the HSE report said a DIY home test has been designed for women who are too embarrassed or busy to make the trip to their GP.

While cervical screening is not a test for cancer, it can help prevent the disease by detecting cell changes before they become dangerous.

Self-sampling has already been introduced in other countries.

World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day also marked one year since Ireland’s Cervical Cancer Elimination Action Plan was launched.

Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said: “I’m proud that Ireland was among the first countries globally to commit to eliminating cervical cancer.

"Today marks an important opportunity to reflect on our progress to date, and to reaffirm our commitment to achieving our elimination goals through vaccination, screening and treatment."

HSE Chief Clinical Officer, Dr Colm Henry, said: “Ireland will eliminate cervical cancer community by community, through the combined efforts of people coming together to take actions that will mean that we can look forward to a future where cervical cancer is rare.

"In the first year since our action plan was published, we have seen the impact of the collective efforts of everyone involved in the cervical cancer elimination partnership.

"We have seen the power of the work of our community champions, bringing awareness to the needs of their communities to access HPV vaccination and screening.

“On World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day, we can all pledge to take one action to help eliminate cervical cancer. We can all play our part by having a conversation with our family and friends, posting a message or video on social media, or putting up a poster in our community or workplace.

"Together, we can encourage everyone to choose the HPV vaccine, choose cervical screening and to be aware of the symptoms of cervical cancer and seek treatment when needed.”