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Published: 20 January 2025

Your essential guide to free cervical screening in Ireland

Cervical screening can prevent cervical cancer. It can also find cervical cancer at an early stage when it can be easier to treat.

So, what is cervical screening?

It’s a test that checks for the human papillomavirus (HPV). It’s done by taking a small sample of cells from your cervix, which is then sent to one of our quality-assured laboratories to be tested.

We know that HPV causes most cervical cancers. Finding it does not mean you have cervical cancer. It means you might be at higher risk of getting cervical cancer. Screening can help to find and treat cell changes in the cervix and prevent them from turning into cancer, in a lot of cases.

Here, we answer your most-asked questions about HPV and cervical cancer - why it’s a better test; why it’s important to still go for screening if you’ve had the HPV vaccine; and how cervical cancer can be prevented.

When should you go for cervical screening

Going for cervical screening every time you’re invited is the best way to get the most from it.

CervicalCheck is free. It’s for women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 65 who have no symptoms of cervical cancer. You can book your test with any one of over 4,000 GPs and clinics registered with CervicalCheck.

  • We’ll invite you for cervical screening every 3 years if you’re aged 25 to 29.
  • We’ll invite you every 5 years, if you’re aged 30 to 65.

We need your up-to-date address so that you can get your invite letter and your results.

Here are 7 things you should know about cervical screening in Ireland, including: how to update your address details; where you can book your screening; what happens at your screening; and when you will get your results.

What happens after your screening

So, you’ve had your cervical screening. A small sample of cells taken from your cervix is sent to one of our laboratories. It’s tested for HPV first.

There are a lot of types of HPV. The test is for 14 high-risk types that cause most cervical cancers.

Here, you can follow your sample from your HPV cervical screening to your results.

Understanding your results

You'll usually get your results within four weeks of your screening test. We’ll let you know in your results letter when your next screening is due or if you need any follow-up tests or treatment.

Your results letter might say:

  • HPV not found: this means you did not have HPV at the time of your screening. Most people get this result.
  • HPV found and no abnormal cell changes found: this means that you have HPV at the time of your screening and no cell changes were seen. We’ll invite you to come for cervical screening again in one year if you get this result. If HPV is found again in your next screening, we’ll invite you to colposcopy to take a closer look at your cervix.
  • HPV found and abnormal cell changes found: this means we need to take a closer look at your cervix and we’ll invite you to colposcopy.
  • Inadequate or unsatisfactory sample: this means that the laboratory could not process your screening test sample. There can be many reasons for this and it does not mean that something is wrong. We’ll send you a letter explaining that you’ll need to have a repeat test.

Going for follow-up tests or treatment every time you’re advised can help to prevent cervical cancer developing or find it early when it’s easier to treat.

What happens at colposcopy

A colposcopy is free through the CervicalCheck screening programme.

The aim of cervical screening is to prevent cervical cancer developing by finding and removing abnormal cells. This is done during colposcopy.

Some women will get a diagnosis of cervical cancer at colposcopy. Cervical cancer can be cured when found and treated early.

Here, we explain what happens at colposcopy including where it is done; how you will get your appointment; what happens at your exam; how we can support you; and when you will get your results.

What screening can’t do

Cervical screening is for people who have no symptoms of cervical cancer.

We know that screening will not pick up every sign that could develop into cancer, and cancer can develop between screening tests. This is why it’s important to get to know the symptoms of cervical cancer, and if you notice anything unusual, talk to your GP.

Where to get more information

We have lots of resources available to help you understand more about cervical screening, including resources that might be useful for people who speak English as a second language, people who find it hard to read and write, and for people who like visual and photo communication:

What to do if you need support to access screening

We can help if you or someone you care for needs support to take part in CervicalCheck. Our access officer can help if you need support before, during and after your screening. You can contact our access officer by email access@cervicalcheck.ie or freephone 1800 45 45 55.

You can check if a GP practice or clinic is wheelchair accessible. It’s also good to contact them to make sure they can help you with any needs you have. Tell the GP or nurse what is helpful to you when having a screening test. They are there to help you and make you feel comfortable.

Making cervical cancer rare

Ireland has set a target to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040. This means we will make cervical cancer rare. We can all help to make this happen.

  • Get the HPV vaccine: choose to have your children vaccinated
  • Choose screening: when you’re invited, book your cervical screening
  • Go for treatment: if you are referred to colposcopy, attend that appointment

Cervical screening can save lives. For most people, cervical cancer is preventable. Make sure we have your up-to-date address and choose screening when you’re invited.