Skip to main content

Warning notification:Warning

Unfortunately, you are using an outdated browser. Please, upgrade your browser to improve your experience with HSE. The list of supported browsers:

  1. Chrome
  2. Edge
  3. FireFox
  4. Opera
  5. Safari

Cervical Cancer Elimination

Ireland is on target to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040

The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD made the announcement on Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action, 17 November 2023.

Ireland publicly committed to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global initiative to eliminate cervical cancer in January 2023 - one of the first countries in the world to do so.

Our vision for 2040

An Ireland where cervical cancer is rare in every community.

What does elimination mean?

The WHO defines elimination of cervical cancer as fewer than 4 cases per 100,000 women. This would make cervical cancer rare. Ireland’s incidence rate is now 10.1 per 100,000. Elimination of cervical cancer does not mean zero cases of cervical cancer, but it will bring us to a point where there are so few cases that it is no longer a public health problem. Ireland can achieve this by 2040, due to the success of the HPV vaccination and cervical screening programmes.

What are the targets?

Known as the 90-70-90 targets, the WHO is asking every country to put measures in place to reach these by 2030, to put the world on course to eliminate cervical cancer:

  • 90% of girls vaccinated against HPV by age 15
  • 70% of women screened by age 35 and again by age 45
  • 90% of people identified with cervical disease treated

How do we get there?

HPV is the cause of most cervical cancers and research published by the National Screening Service provides early evidence of the positive protective effect of HPV vaccination on cervical disease in Ireland. Our goal to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040 can be achieved by making sure all women and people with a cervix have access to three important tools:

  • vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) which causes most cervical cancers
  • cervical screening and treatment of precancers to find HPV infections and signs of changes in the cervix, and treat any abnormalities that are found before cancer can develop
  • timely cervical cancer treatment and access to appropriate care and support services, including palliative care

National Action Plan 2025-2030

A national action plan has been published to ensure Ireland remains on track to eliminate cervical cancer and realise its vision to make cervical cancer rare in every community by 2040. The action plan was developed following an extensive stakeholder engagement and consultation process.

Ireland’s Cervical Cancer Elimination Action Plan 2025-2030 (PDF, 1.7 KB, 38 pages)

Ireland’s Cervical Cancer Elimination Action Plan 2025-2030 (Irish version) (PDF, 1.7 KB, 38 pages)

Together Towards Elimination

Everyone can play a part in the drive towards elimination and thousands of people already are.

  • Parents and children of vaccination age can get informed about the HPV vaccine and its role in preventing cervical cancer at hpv.ie
  • Women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 65 are eligible for free HPV cervical screening. Choose screening from the age of 25. Check the register at CervicalCheck.ie, check the facts and book your screening test when it is due.
  • Take up treatment if advised. If cervical cancer is identified early, treatment can be less extensive and is much more likely to be successful.

Follow the hashtag #TogetherTowardsElimination on social media platforms and share widely.

Cervical Cancer Elimination Partnership

The HSE’s Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy Group is comprised of:

  • the Department of Health
  • HSE’s National Screening Service
  • National Immunisation Office
  • National Cancer Control Programme
  • National Social Inclusion Office
  • National Women and Infants Health Programme
  • National Cancer Registry Ireland
  • patient advocates
  • Marie Keating Foundation
  • Irish Cancer Society
  • thisisGO

Ireland’s Cervical Cancer Elimination campaign is supported by the Women’s Health Fund. This is a process of investment under the Women’s Health Action Plan 2024-2025 which commits to taking action to improve the health outcomes for women and girls across the country. It strives to achieve new approaches to women’s health through innovation. Ireland’s Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy is fully aligned to this ambition.

Learn more

Back to National Screening Service