Cervical cancer cases buck EU decline trend

IRELAND is the only country in western Europe where deaths from cervical cancer continue to increase.

But systematic and regular screening of women aged 25 to 60 years of age reduced deaths by 80%, experts attending the launch of the first European Cervical Cancer Awareness week heard.

In Ireland this meant that the lives of 56 of the 70 women who died every year from cervical cancer could be saved, according to a spokeswoman for the Irish Cancer Society (ICS).

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women worldwide and remains a serious health problem in Europe, especially in Ireland and the new EU member states where figures are double what they are in the rest of the EU, according to the latest figures.

The Irish Society is a member of the European Association that aims to eliminate cervical cancer over the next few years through organised prevention programmes.

The ICS spokeswoman said that up to now Ireland had ignored this form of cancer and as a result had one of the highest deaths rates in Europe.

“The tragedy is that it is completely preventable, but it has never been high on the government’s agenda,” she said.

In Ireland the average age of the women who die from the cancer is just 40.

In Britain, where free screening has been available and promoted since 1988, the incidence and death rates have been dropping every year while in Ireland they have continued to rise.

This Irish increase in cervical cancer deaths was highlighted by the prestigious European Journal of Cancer

The ICS hoped that this would change in the next 18 months when the newly-formed National Cancer Screening Service, recently announced by Health Minister Mary Harney, gets off the ground.

The spokeswoman described it as a move in the right direction. It would be rolled out in 2008.

“Women in the vital 25-60 year old age group will be targeted and get regular invitations from their GPs to have a free smear test,” she said.

But in the meantime women should not wait for this service to be launched. The Irish Cancer Society has spent €200,000 on a campaign to encourage women to have the test done as soon as possible.

Irish MEP Avril Doyle, who is a member of the European Parliament’s Cervical Cancer Interest Group, said that a fifth of Irish women had never had a smear test.

“I am happy to take part in the first annual European Cervical Cancer Prevention week. By raising awareness of cervical cancer at the European level the Irish government might finally be embarrassed into action,” she said.

About 50,000 women a year in Europe developed cervical cancer and 25,000 women died needlessly, largely because of inadequate screening programmes.

* For further information call the National Cancer Helpline on freefone 1800 200 700.