The cancer screening process in Northern Ireland was recently given a boost by the Health Minister’s decision to expand their cervical cancer screening programme. The Health Minister Edwin Poots has announced that a test for the human papilloma virus (HPV) will become part of regular smear tests provided to women of adult age. HPV can cause considerable discomfort to women and has a long established link to cervical cancer. The addition of the HPV test complements the HPV immunisation programme introduced in 2008, and means a great gain for the wellbeing of women in Northern Ireland.
The aim of the new test is to reduce the number of women who develop cervical cancer, which claims the lives of 20 to 30 women per year in Northern Ireland. As such, it can be seen as an important step for women’s wellness, as well as the fight against cancer. HPV screening will be available to all women between the ages of 25 and 64, and will be conducted using the sample of cells taken during their regular smear test. Those women whose results show abnormalities will be referred for a colposcopy – a procedure that provides a magnified view of the cervix for evaluation. It means a better selection process of women who do need further investigation and a lessening of the anxiety of those who don’t.
The HPV test also removes the need for repeat smear tests conducted in the case of an abnormality. With the new test, women will be able to return to a regular frequency of tests due to the supporting evidence of the HPV test. Medical officials in Northern Ireland welcome the news, and the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride, encourages all women to take advantage of the new screening process, stating that it can prevent the development of pre-cancerous cells and potentially save many lives.
Comments are closed.