Concern has been expressed about the high number of women who still have not availed of free smear tests on offer to them via CervicalCheck, the National Cervical Screening Programme.

Cervical cancer refers to cancer of the cells of the cervix (the neck of the womb). A smear test can detect early changes in these cells, which if left untreated, can later become cancerous.

Every year in Ireland, around 300 women are newly diagnosed with the disease and some 90 women die as a result.

CervicalCheck offers free smear tests to women between the ages of 25 and 60 every three to five years, unless otherwise specified. However, according to the programme, 30% of women have still not availed of their free tests, a figure that is a ‘cause for concern'.

"The fact that so many women are avoiding this simple, free test is a cause for concern. I truly hope that women who have not yet had a smear test will take five minutes out of their busy day to be proactive about their health. A smear test is nothing to be embarrassed about. It only takes a few minutes and doctors and practice nurses do hundreds a week," explained CervicalCheck clinical director, Dr Grainne Flannelly.

She emphasised that by avoiding smear tests, these women are putting themselves at increased risk.

The programme also noted that women over the age of 50 are less likely than other age groups to have the test done. However, even if a woman has reached the age of 50, she still needs regular smear tests even if she has finished having a family and/or has reached the menopause.

"It's just as important for a woman of 56 to have a smear test as it is for a woman aged 25," it said.

Women can choose from around 4,000 male and female smear takers nationwide. While smear takers are GPs and practice nurses, a woman does not have to attend her own GP surgery for the test.

"Women don't need an invitation letter or to register with CervicalCheck. To arrange a smear test they can simply contact a registered smeartaker of their choice to make an appointment. GPs, practice nurses, family planning and women's health clinics all over Ireland are registered to provide free smear tests," the programme explained.

Details of all registered smear takers are available at www.cervicalcheck.ie or by calling CervicalCheck on 1800 45 45 55.

Once a woman has had her first test, she will then receive notification when her next test is due.