Concerns now exist that changes introduced to the National Cervical Screening Programme last month may be resulting in “at risk” women being refused a free smear test.

From 1 September 2009 women who have never had a CervicalCheck smear test need an invitation to have a free smear test. This is a major shift from the system that was established last year where women within the target 25 to 60 age group were to be encouraged to make their own appointments without restrictions.

Concerns have been raised by the Irish College of Medical Professionals that women most at risk of contracting cervical cancer are now being turned away because they do not have the required invitation.

The Minister needs to ensure that a safety net exists to ensure that no woman’s life is lost to cervical cancer because she did not get an invitation in time.

Minister Harney must also outline how much money was spent by Cervical Check on a major advertising campaign to encourage women to make an appointment. Last months changes requiring women to have an invitation before that can get an appointment means that the money spent on this advertising campaign was money wasted.

Cervical Cancer is the third most common cancer affecting women in Ireland. It has a mortality rate in Ireland of 4.3 deaths per 100,000 (1998) compared with an EU average of 2.7 deaths per 100,000.

Last year the Minister for Health, Mary Harney, axed the cervical cancer vaccine for young teenagers for budgetary reasons. She took this decision despite a report from the Health Information and Quality Authority saying that a targeted vaccination programme could dramatically cut the number of deaths from cervical cancer. Minister Harney must clarify if the recent change to the Cervical Check programme is another example of a Government decision to needlessly risk the lives of Irish women.