A woman who was given the all-clear on two smear tests and was subsequently diagnosed with cervical cancer has called on the Minister for Health to examine the system of prioritising women on gynaecology waiting lists based on smear test results, saying the current process is “completely unsuitable”. “You are possibly unaware that public patients awaiting gynaecology appointments are prioritised as urgent/non-urgent based on smear test results,”she wrote. “Therefore, if you have a normal smear you are automatically classified as non-urgent, irrespective of symptoms. “I am conscious that the waiting lists in Cork are over two years long. “All patients on these waiting lists need to be HPV tested and reprioritised if they are found to have one of the oncogenic HPV strains.

Source: The Irish Times May 12, 2018 00:00 UTC