International Cancer Screening Network conference 2027 – Call for abstracts now open
The International Cancer Screening Network, in partnership with the HSE National Screening Service, is pleased to announce that the call for abstracts is now open for the 2027 International Cancer Screening Network Conference (ICSN 2027).
ICSN 2027 is taking in Dublin from 16 to 18 June 2027 at Trinity Business School. It will showcase research, innovation, policy development and real-world learning from the global screening community.
The theme is Transforming screening together: Balancing innovation, access and trust.
Researchers, practitioners, policymakers and professionals working across cancer screening are invited to submit abstracts aligned with one of the conference themes:
- from population-based to personalised approaches in screening
- technology as core infrastructure
- equity, access and inclusion
- communication, trust and informed choice
- global and health system perspectives
- learning and data-driven health systems
- from improvement to transformation
- partnership, participation and co-design
- monitoring and evaluation.
Abstract submission guidelines are available to view at icsn2027.org. The deadline for submissions is 6 January 2027.
BreastCheck and National Cancer Control Programme team up for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Ahead of Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, the HSE’s National Screening Service and National Cancer Control Programme have worked together to map out a simple guide to breast care services in Ireland. The graphic, which will be included in the joint Breast Cancer Awareness Month partner pack, shows the different pathways for women who have BreastCheck screening, those who have symptoms, and those who have a previous diagnosis or family history.
The partner pack will also signpost downloadable resources and highlight key messages, including:
- The power of early diagnosis
- How to manage risks – symptom awareness, self-checking and screening
- What to do if you have symptoms
- How screening is delivered close to you
- Making screening work for you – moving your appointment time or location and the additional supports BreastCheck can offer
During October, the HSE will be highlighting the areas where BreastCheck is currently screening, with media releases encouraging uptake and reminding women how they can get in touch if they need to reschedule their appointment.
For more information and updates, subscribe to NSS news updates.
New webinars support community pharmacies to increase BowelScreen awareness among customers
The National Screening Service has worked with the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) to develop new education modules for community pharmacy teams about BowelScreen, as part of the implementation of the Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025.
The agreement acknowledges the important role that community pharmacies can play in increasing BowelScreen awareness and uptake of the bowel screening programme.
The education modules support pharmacy teams to encourage people to take part in BowelScreen. Pharmacies that opt in under the Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025 will complete the modules by the end of September 2026.
In October, participating pharmacy teams will attach a promotional sticker to prescription bags for people in the eligible age range of 57-71 years. The sticker will encourage people to talk to their pharmacy teams about BowelScreen and has a freephone number and a QR code so people can check that they are registered for BowelScreen and if they are registered, request their free home test kit.
NSS Research Updates
- The NSS has published a two-year action plan setting out the next steps it will take to reduce barriers to screening and make its programmes more accessible, inclusive and equitable. The action plan to improve equity in screening 2026-2027 builds on the progress the service made in increasing equity in 2024 and 2025, outlined in the Strategic Equity Framework 2023-2027 midway report.
- To support Ireland’s work towards eliminating cervical cancer the NSS has launched a free 4-part research webinar series, running from 23 September to 28 October. The webinars will cover topics ranging from behavioural science and health equity to healthcare innovation and data-driven approaches. They are free to attend, but registration is required. Get more information and register.