One in 8 smear tests shows an abnormality
As a result, 145 women were diagnosed with cancer.
These were among the results revealed in the report Cervical Check Programme for September 2009 to August 2010.
It recorded a substantial increase in the number of women called back for second assessments.
Due to abnormal smears or other reasons, 16,811 women were brought back for a more intensive colposcopy test.
This represented an increase of 6,717 women on the previous year.
In addition, 30,884 women were called for a follow-up appointment, which was a 335% increase.
Majella Byrne, the acting director of the National Cancer Screening Service, said cervical cancer was an entirely preventable disease if the right systems were in place. And she said people could not get complacent about the scans.
“Screening, combined with the introduction of the cervical cancer vaccine for schoolgirls, can make a considerable impact on the incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer in Ireland,” she said.
The service also said there had been significant improvements in waiting times for follow-up tests scheduled for women with abnormal smears.
Clinical director Dr Gráinne Flannelly said the programme addressed the delays to ensure all callbacks were done within National Cancer Screening Service targets.
Urgent referrals are now seen within one-and-a-half weeks of an abnormal test.
“Average waiting times across the 15 colposcopy services have continued to improve and at time of publication [September 2011] waiting times at all 15 colposcopy services were within NCSS guidelines. This has ensured that women who need a colposcopy appointment are seen promptly, avoiding unnecessary anxiety, or delay in diagnosis.”
Less than 2% of women screened in the year were under the age of 25, but the programme said there was no public health benefit for expanding the screening to younger women.
