This year, European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week takes place from Sunday 28th January to Saturday 3rd February. Since 2008, CervicalCheck - The National Cervical Screening Programme has partnered with the Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA) on the Pearl of Wisdom campaign to promote the week in Ireland. The Pearl of Wisdom is the European symbol of cervical cancer prevention.

Each year, over 260 women in Ireland are diagnosed with cervical cancer and up to 70 lives are lost. Along with the HPV vaccine, regular cervical screening is the most effective way to reduce the risk of cervical cancer.

We are serious about preventing cervical cancer, so we must encourage the girls and women of Ireland to take advantage of the expert services available to protect them. Eligible women should check that they are up to date with their cervical screening (smear) test and girls should get the HPV Vaccine when offered to them.

Through CervicalCheck, women aged 25 to 60 can avail of regular free cervical screening from over 4,500 practitioners of their choice, including the IFPA’s clinics in Dublin city centre and Tallaght.

The Pearl of Wisdom campaign calls on women to check when their next free cervical screening is due by visiting www.cervicalcheck.ie or calling Freephone 1800 45 45 55.

To raise awareness, we are distributing over 30,000 free Pearls of Wisdom to health networks across Ireland. All callers to CervicalCheck during the campaign week can also receive a pearl pin.

From Sunday 28th January to Saturday Saturday 3rd February, we ask women to wear and share a pearl, in solidarity with those affected by cervical cancer. We are also encouraging our partners and women across Ireland to support the campaign by posting a selfie with their Pearl of Wisdom on social media using the hashtag #ShareTheWisdom, or adding a virtual Pearl to their profile pictures by visiting https://twibbon.com/Support/pearl-of-wisdom.

There will be a number of activities taking place across the country throughout European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week.