Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator Máire Devine on cervical cancer services. I only managed to attend the end of the briefing provided by the Irish Family Planning Association and hosted by the Senator and Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan. Every year approximately 300 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and approximately 90 women lose their lives to this preventable disease. As part of cervical cancer prevention week, Senators should play their part in spreading the word about cervical cancer prevention. Cervical cancer which involves slow changes in the part of the body affected can take years to develop. This makes it all the more tragic that lives are lost as a result of the disease. Screening saves women's lives. The Seanad should play its part, whether via social media or otherwise, in spreading awareness and making information available. A total of 4,500 practitioners are registered with CervicalCheck which is an excellent screening system.We need to get the word out to a greater degree and I commend those involved in the presentation today.