Dr. Colm Henry:

The rate of uptake for the cervical programme is quite good at about 78% of the eligible population. The screening age range is from 25 to 65 with increased frequency in the first few years, reflecting the higher prevalence of HPV infection in younger age groups. It broadens out to five-year intervals thereafter. In March 2020, just before the pandemic, we switched over to the HPV form of screening, which is more sensitive and less prone to false negatives. It is more reliable and picks up more early-stage changes that may lead to a cervical cancer. In recent months, we have seen attendances lower than the target figures. We are looking at a communication campaign to bolster awareness and attendance and to ensure that all eligible women aged between 25 and 65 attend for what is now a more sensitive screening programme and one which has, since 2008, picked up quite a number of cancers and tens of thousands of early-stage changes in cells which present a risk of progressing to cancer, as is reflected in the more recent report that came out only in the last few weeks. Since 2008, we have seen a reduction in the rate of cervical cancer of the order of 2.5% to 3% per year as an effect of this programme.