Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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555. To ask the Minister for Health his views on extending the free cervical smear testing programme to include under 25 year olds; if the scheme will be extended on the basis that should a person under 25 years decide they require a smear test, based on family history, if they will then be included; the amount it would it cost to include under 25 year olds in this programme; if he will provide the figures for the number of women under 25 years of age who die from cervical cancer each year. [49601/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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CervicalCheck, the National Cervical Screening Programme, was introduced in 2008 and offers free smear tests to women aged 25-60. International best practice recommends that a population based cervical screening programme should target women aged from 25 or 30 years to 60 or 65 years.

Invasive cervical cancer is extremely rare in women aged under 25, with less than 5 women in this age group being diagnosed with this condition each year. There was one death from cervical cancer in women below the age of 25 in the years 2008-2012. While changes in the cells of the cervix are very common for those under 25, in the vast majority of cases these changes will settle and return to normal without intervention. If the screening age was lowered to invite those under 25 for smear tests, young women could be subjected to unnecessary treatment that could have potential long-term negative effects on their health and fertility.

I would encourage all women aged under 25 to be vigilant about their health and to consult their GP immediately if they have any symptoms which would raise the suspicion of cervical cancer. If necessary, their GP will refer them to a gynaecology clinic for further investigation. Meanwhile, any women concerned about their family risk of cancer should discuss this with their GP.

I would also encourage all 12-18 year old schoolgirls to avail of the free HPV vaccination which is offered in second level schools.