HSE marks Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 2026

This Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (19 - 25 January 2026), the HSE is reminding everyone that cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, and that the actions we take today can stop it developing in the future.

Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). By preventing HPV, finding it, and treating abnormal cells, we can prevent cervical cancer before it develops.

In Ireland, we already have everything we need to do to make this possible:

• free HPV vaccination
• free cervical screening (CervicalCheck)
• free follow-up tests and treatment for those who need it

Together, these services are already preventing thousands of cancers - and this is how we will make cervical cancer rare in Ireland by 2040.

Prevention starts early with the HPV vaccine

The HPV vaccine is our first line of protection against cervical cancer. It protects against the main types of HPV that cause most cervical cancers.

Getting vaccinated now means lower risk of cervical cancer in the future. It also protects against genital warts and other cancers caused by HPV - of the penis, anus, vulva, vagina and throat.

Irish research shows that girls who were vaccinated in school have a 60% lower rate of serious pre-cancer changes at their first screening test at age 25 - clear evidence that the vaccine prevents disease.

The free HPV vaccine is offered to girls and boys in their first year of secondary school through the HSE National Immunisation Programme. It’s a once-off vaccine. Research shows that it is safe, highly effective, and long-lasting. It protects you for life from the virus that causes most cases of cervical cancer.

From January 2026, the Laura Brennan HPV vaccine catch-up programme in secondary schools is giving students in fifth and sixth year another chance to get the vaccine if they didn’t get it in first year. Students aged from 16 to 19 can make their own choice to have the vaccine. If your child is home-educated and born between 1 September 2006 and 31 August 2009 and did not receive the HPV vaccine in first year of secondary school, the free HPV vaccine is still available for them.

Cervical screening and treatment – another layer of protection

Research from Trinity College Dublin estimates that more than 5,500 cervical cancers have already been prevented in Ireland since CervicalCheck began because abnormal cells were found and treated in time.

Cervical screening and treatment of pre-cancerous changes can prevent cervical cancer. CervicalCheck is free and is for women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 65. Cervical screening can help to find cervical cancer at an early stage, when it can be treated and cured. But the main aim of screening is to prevent cancer altogether by testing for HPV first, finding abnormal cells caused by HPV, and treating those cells before cancer can develop.

Practical steps we can all take to prevent cervical cancer

We can all play a part in preventing cervical cancer.  Talk to your children, families, parents, partners and communities.

• Choose HPV vaccination: say yes to the HPV vaccine when it is offered in secondary school - in first year, or as part of the catch-up programme in fifth and sixth year
• Choose cervical screening: go for screening every time you’re invited by CervicalCheck from the age of 25 to 65. It’s free, quick and easy to access with over 6,000 registered GPs and sample takers available in Ireland. You should still go for cervical screening if you’ve had the HPV vaccine
• Go for follow-up when advised: follow-up tests and treatment complete the prevention process. This protects your future health

Know the symptoms, and act early

Screening is for people without symptoms of cervical cancer.

Everyone should still be aware of possible symptoms of cervical cancer, because not all cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV, and screening won’t find every abnormality.

The symptoms can include:

• abnormal vaginal bleeding (between periods, after sex or after menopause)
• unusual vaginal discharge
• pelvic or lower back pain

If you notice any of these, go to your GP and get the right care for you, even if your last screening test was normal.

Making cervical cancer rare

Ireland has set a goal to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040. Prevention is how elimination will happen through:

• high HPV vaccine uptake
• regular cervical screening
• timely treatment of abnormal cells

Prof Nóirín Russell, CervicalCheck Clinical Director said:

“Nearly 250 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in Ireland every year. Half of these are found through screening. Many more women have abnormal, pre-cancerous changes found and treated through screening. We want to get to a place where most cervical cancers are stopped before they ever start. Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers we have. This Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, I’m asking everyone to start a conversation and support a woman or girl, daughter or parent, partner or friend to take an important step to protect their own health by choosing HPV vaccination and screening.

“It’s so encouraging to know we are potentially only 14 years away from our goal to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040. We have the tools in HPV vaccination, HPV cervical screening and follow up, and early treatment in colposcopy services. We can achieve elimination if we take these important steps.”

Dr Lucy Jessop, Consultant in Public Health Medicine and Director of the HSE National Immunisation Office said:

“The HPV vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect young people from HPV-related cancers later in life, including cervical cancer. HPV infection is common, and vaccination plays a vital role in reducing the risk of cancer. I would strongly encourage parents and guardians to take up the HPV vaccine for their children through the routine schools’ immunisation programme. The Laura Brennan HPV Vaccine Catch-Up Programme also provides an important opportunity for young people who may have missed their earlier vaccination to get protected.”