Pre-conference: Cancer prevention for a sustainable future: an interactive workshop for public health specialists
Join the Cancer Prevention Europe European Public Health Pre-conference Workshop on Cancer Prevention (8 November, Dublin). The workshop precedes the European Public Health Conference, which runs from 8-11 November at the Convention Centre in Dublin.
The workshop offers a great opportunity to delve into the critical aspects of cancer prevention, from primary and secondary prevention strategies to the implementation of behaviour change science in policy and practice. It’s also an excellent occasion for networking, learning, and contributing to a collective mission that has far-reaching implications for public health. Please find attached the current programme of this workshop. Pre-conferences can be booked when registering for the main conference. More information available by clicking here.
Partnership to announce goal date to eliminate cervical cancer
The target date for Ireland to achieve cervical cancer elimination will be revealed by the Cervical Cancer Elimination partnership on November 17, at an event in the Department of Health.
At the event to mark Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action, the partnership will also launch an online consultation. The consultation will give advocates, the public, clinicians, healthcare staff and other stakeholders an opportunity to have their say on how to reduce the future impact of cervical cancer. Outcomes from it will be used to develop an action plan for 2024 and beyond. This plan will shape the partnership’s work to save women’s lives by making cervical cancer rare in Ireland.
The partnership is led by Dr Caroline Mason Mohan, NSS Director of Public Health. Other members come from the HSE’s National Immunisation Office, CervicalCheck – the national cervical screening programme, National Cancer Control Programme, and National Women’s and Infants Health programme. The National Cancer Registry Ireland, Department of Health, cervical cancer patient advocates and key cancer charities have also joined the effort to eliminate cervical cancer.
Dr Mason Mohan said: “We know that by working together we can eliminate cervical cancer. We have the tools in HPV vaccination, screening and treatment, and we have commitment across the HSE to work together to get the maximum benefit for the women of Ireland.”
Ways to #getinvolved…
• The partnership will issue a press release and the NSS will run a social media campaign to support the Day of Action on November 17. We will also promote the event on X @NSShse.
• Please support Cervical Cancer Elimination by retweeting, sharing and liking our posts.
• If you get the opportunity try talking to patients and people who use your service about Ireland’s effort to make cervical cancer rare – so they can make an informed decision about their future health. By taking the HPV vaccine when offered, choosing HPV screening and getting early treatment if needed we can all make a difference in the global campaign towards cervical cancer elimination
Ways to #getinformed
The World Health Organisation (WHO) launched its Global Strategy to Eliminate Cervical Cancer on 17th November 2020. You can read more about the strategy here.
It has a vision of a world where cervical cancer is eliminated as a public health problem. This does not mean there will be no cases, but the number of cases will be very low – fewer than 4 per 100,000 women per year. Ireland’s rate is currently 11.3 per 100,000 so by working together we can make a big difference to the number of people a year who develop cervical cancer.
The WHO set targets that must be met by 2030 for countries to be on the path towards cervical cancer elimination.
• 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
Ireland is routinely exceeding this screening target rate of 70% and has set itself a higher rate of 80% coverage across the entire screened population from age 25 to 65.
Ireland is following countries like Australia and Sweden by setting a date by which it is likely to reach the target set by WHO.
This should happen within our lifetime and globally within the lifetime of today’s young girls.
