Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 389: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to new research showing that the incidence of cervical cancer in British women aged 20 to 24 years and 25 to 29 years has increased since the screening age in Britain was raised to 25 years, without any corresponding increase in the other age groups; if similar studies are under way here; her views on whether, in view of this research, the CervicalCheck minimum screening age of 25 years should be reduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1084/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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The Deputy may be referring to an oral presentation given at the British Gynaecological Cancer Society scientific meeting held in Dublin in December 2009 which has not been published and therefore has yet to undergo any peer review.

The National Cancer Screening Service keeps under constant review the evidence base, involving any research conducted in Ireland or internationally, that would influence the target population for CervicalCheck. International best practice currently recommends that population-based cervical screening programmes should target women aged from 25 or 30 years to 60 or 65 years. The scientific literature would suggest that there is no additional public health benefit in starting screening below the age of 25 years and published research in fact has shown that the disadvantages of screening women under the age of 25 years may be greater than any potential benefit. CervicalCheck is a programme for women without symptoms. Irrespective of her age, any woman who has symptoms causing concern should seek the advice of a doctor.