Cancer trust targets candidates

EVERY election candidate is being targeted in a new campaign to reduce the number of women dying needlessly every year from cervical cancer.

Postcards are being posted to candidates across the country’s 42 constituencies asking them to commit themselves to improving cervical cancer prevention services.

The campaign, launched yesterday by Jo’s Trust Fighting Cervical Cancer and the All Ireland Cancer Foundation, aims at putting cancer prevention at the top of the general election agenda.

Ireland has one of the highest rates of cervical cancer in western Europe with 190 cases diagnosed and over 70 deaths every year.

The charities want candidates to promise that they will urge the Department of Health and Children to introduce a national cervical cancer screening programme and a secondary school vaccination programme at the earliest possible date.

The postcards also ask candidates to call for the introduction of an education programme.

Jo’s Trust director Pamela Morton welcomed last week’s announcement that a cervical cancer screening would be available nationwide from November and the Fianna Fáil election manifesto pledge to make the new vaccine available free to everyone.

“Unless swift action is taken many more will die unnecessarily,” said Ms Morton.