Cervical Cancer Elimination

Ireland’s target date to eliminate cervical cancer is 2040.

The Minister for Health made the announcement on 17 November 2023 to mark Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action.

Ireland is one of the first countries in the world to commit to this World Health Organization (WHO) global health initiative.  The WHO targets are:

90% of girls vaccinated against HPV by age 15
70% of women screened by age 35 and again by age 45
90% of people identified with cervical disease treated.

Elimination of cervical cancer means reducing it to so few cases that it will no longer be a public health problem. The WHO defines elimination as fewer than four cases per 100,000 women. Ireland can achieve this target by 2040, due to the success of the HPV vaccination and cervical screening programmes and timely access to treatment.

The National Screening Service, the National Immunisation Office, the National Cancer Control Programme, the National Cancer Registry Ireland along with patient advocates and NGOs are working in partnership towards Ireland’s 2040 target.

Find out more on  www.hse.ie/cervicalcancerelimination