Types of screening
Cervical cancer screening can be offered either as opportunistic screening or an organised screening programme. Both opportunistic and organised screening can produce large reductions in cervical cancer. However, organised screening programmes are more:
- equitable (providing the same benefits to all women)
- effective (producing the greatest reductions in cervical cancer)
- efficient (having the greatest effect for the cost of the programme).
Cervical cancer screening in Ireland is offered within a free nationally organised screening programme called CervicalCheck and invites women aged 25-60 for screening every 3 to 5 years depending on their age.
