Cancer group warns of
cervical waiting list
By Linda McGrory
WOMEN in Inishowen are being urged to get a free
cervical smear test before the scheme ends in two
weeks' time. Currently, women can simply go to their
GP or local clinic and have the procedure done free
of charge under the CervicalCheck programme
introduced last autumn. However, Donegal Action for
Cancer Care (DACC) yesterday warned that the
programme will change entirely on September 1.
From that date, to avail of a free smear test, a
woman will first have to get a CervicalCheck
invitation letter and wait to be called.
CervicalCheck has announced it is to move from the
current open access system for women to an organised
call and re-call system of invitation "in line with
best international practice".
DACC chairperson Betty Holmes yesterday urged women
to get the test done without delay.
"We are urgently calling on women to avail of the
free cervical smear test and remind them of the
importance of having this done. Women who want to
have a cervical smear test will no longer be able to
get one automatically under proposals that come into
force on September 1," said Ms Holmes.
"We would say to women to ask your friend, your
neighbour, your aunt, if they have had their smear
test and if they haven't, give them a gentle nudge
because the thing we have to remember is that the
life you could be saving might be your own."
CervicalCheck, the Cervical Screening Programme,
provides free smear tests to women aged 25 to 60 who
are eligible for screening. The procedure which
detects pre-cancerous cells, is considered to be the
most effective method of reducing a woman's risk of
developing cervical cancer.
CervicalCheck has over 4,150 GPs, practice nurses,
Women's Health, Family Planning and Well Woman
Clinics in over 1,400 locations registered with the
programme. For details of the registered smeartakers
near you, check under the 'Find a smeartaker'
section at
www.cervicalcheck.ie . |
