Women aged over 50 urged to attend CervicalCheck screening

It follows a review finding that this group has a much lower uptake of screening than women in their 20s

Women over 50 have been urged to attend CervicalCheck screening, with just one test able to cut their lifetime risk of cervical cancer by 50%.

It follows a review finding that this group has a much lower uptake of screening than women in their 20s.

Professor Nóirín Russell, clinical director of CervicalCheck, said: “We know that even just one test over the age of 50 reduces the rate of cervical cancer by 50% up to the age of 84.

“It’s really worthwhile for women over 50 especially, who are under-screened and who haven’t been turning up or who haven’t had a HPV test.” 

The method of screening was changed in 2020 to HPV (human papillomavirus) testing. 

This virus is the most common cause of cervical cancer.

“To have that one-off HPV testing reduces their lifetime risk by 50%,” Prof Russell said.

Low uptake

CervicalCheck has found the uptake lower among women over 50 since the programme started, according to Prof Russell.

“There is a perception, an incorrect perception, that cervical cancer is just a young woman’s disease,” she said.

“We’re putting the messaging out that it is important all the way up to 65.” 

Women reported being reluctant to attend due to embarrassment, discomfort and “a feeling of ‘ah sure, I don’t need that anymore’”, Prof Russell said.

Some felt they did not need this as they have one partner only.

“Women said to us ‘I’m not sexually active at the moment’, but that doesn’t matter. 

"Once you’ve ever been sexually active, then cervical screening is for you,” Prof Russell said.

“One partner, any, ever, you still need to have cervical screening.” 

The HSE also cautioned that HPV is not the only cause of cervical cancer so women can get it if they never had sex.

More is known now about taking care of women’s health during menopause, according to Prof Russell.

HRT (hormone replacement therapy) can be used to make screening more comfortable.

Women could take topical oestrogen as a pessary, she suggested, saying it could be really helpful in reducing discomfort.

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Prof Russell also urged women who do attend screening to recommend this to other women.

“If you have screening, there is a one in 10 chance you are going to be HPV positive,” she said, referring to Irish data.

“It’s more common in younger women, certainly the prevalence is higher in 25 to 29-year-olds, but the chance is there — if you go for screening, you might find out about HPV.” 

The CervicalCheck programme report 2020-2022, published last month, shows that up to March 2022, some 87% of women aged 25 to 27 attended. 

This dropped to 76% among women aged 50 to 54 and 66% for women aged 55 to 59.

Screening was extended to the age of 65 during 2020. 

Up to March 2022 only 26% of these women had attended.