Editorial Staff , 2025-06-19 15:18:00
This research will inform cervical screening practices in Ireland and contributes to international literature
Research is a fundamental part of the National Screening Service’s ethos, a pillar of its strategic focus and one of nine enabling actions in Ireland’s Cervical Cancer Elimination plan.
Their success at the Irish Healthcare Awards recognised the milestone contribution this study will make to cervical screening in Ireland and the global effort to eliminate cervical cancer. This research will inform cervical screening practices in Ireland and contributes to international literature.
Published in the Irish Journal of Medical Science, the paper ‘The effect of HPV vaccination on the rate of high-grade cytology in 25-year-old women attending cervical screening in Ireland’ showed a fall in the percentage of cervical screening tests showing high-grade precancer cells in women aged 25. This demonstrates early signs of the positive protective effect of HPV vaccination against cervical cancer developing.
To do the research, the National Screening Service analysed population level data from CervicalCheck and the National Immunisation Office and worked collaboratively across both teams.
As more vaccinated women become eligible for CervicalCheck, the researchers expect to see a continued reduction in precancerous cell changes in young women. Therefore, this work is an important tool to support future service development and planning in cervical screening.
The National Screening Service will continue to conduct and commission research, review evidence, and work with policy makers to provide an experienced and expert voice in population screening.
