Save the date – International Cancer Screening Network conference 2027 to take place in Dublin
The International Cancer Screening Network (ICSN), in partnership with the HSE National Screening Service, is delighted to announce its biennial conference, ICSN 2027, will take place from 16 to 18 June 2027 at Trinity Business School, Dublin.
The theme for ICSN 2027 is Transforming screening together: Balancing innovation, access and trust.
ICSN 2027 will bring together researchers, clinicians, policymakers, programme leaders, public health professionals and patient and public partners from around the world, providing an opportunity to share knowledge, explore emerging evidence and strengthen international collaboration in cancer screening.
Abstract submissions will open in September 2026
Stay informed
- visit the conference website at icsn2027.org where you can subscribe to the conference newsletter
- follow the HSE National Screening Service on LinkedIn
- join the ICSN group on LinkedIn
- follow @NSShse on X
- follow the conversation online using #ICSN2027
Improving our BreastCheck appointment letters
We have recently reviewed our BreastCheck invitation letters in line with the World Health Organisation’s Better Letters framework, to make them easier to read and easier to act on.
This work involved BreastCheck staff, members of our Patient and Public Partnership, communications and public health.
The letters were introduced in mid-June to:
- make the information more person-centred and accessible
- increase response and attendance rates
- screen more women by reducing missed appointments and repeat invitations.
Improvements
- Shortened letters emphasising the place, date, and time of the woman’s appointment
- Using plain language to make them easier to read
- Using bullet points
- Referring women to the booklet for more information instead of including it in the letter
- Using behavioural science approaches to build trust, e.g. using the woman’s first name
- Including a QR code that women can use to see their screening appointments in the HSE Health App
The new letter content has also been used to design the BreastCheck information and appointment notifications now being sent to people who use the HSE Health App. Please support our work by encouraging people to download the app.
Celebrating the work of Community Champions
The NSS has trained 110 Community Champions across the country to work with people in their communities to build trust, raise awareness and helping reduce barriers to screening. At a recent annual webinar a number of Champions outlined their work with different communities, including people living in International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS), Roma communities, and women experiencing homelessness and addiction. Read more in the NSS blog: Building trust in communities and improving access to screening across Ireland: Insights from our 2026 Community Champions webinar.
We showcased the work of our Community Champions during Men’s Health Week (15-21 June). Lewis Byrne, who took part in this year’s Men’s Health Week webinar, describes his work building confidence around men’s health and screening in the community. We also spoke to Hugh Friel and Mark Kirwan who work in their communities to promote men’s health and wellbeing.
CervicalCheck expands into ambulatory gynaecology services
CervicalCheck’s Screening Training Unit, in collaboration with the HSE’s National Women and Infants Health Programme and ambulatory gynaecology teams nationwide, are helping to create more opportunities for women to have screening.
Dr Rachael Comer, Education and Training Manager, CervicalCheck said: “To help reach more women, particularly those who may never have been screened before or who attend screening less often, we’ve been working with ambulatory gynaecology services across Ireland to make cervical screening part of routine care in these settings. Ambulatory gynaecology clinics are outpatient clinics where gynaecological care is provided without the need for overnight stays.
Read more about this work: Every contact counts: bringing cervical screening into ambulatory gynaecology services.
NSS Research Updates
- The National Cervical Screening Laboratory (NCSL) is carrying out a feasibility study to evaluate the use of digital and artificial intelligence (AI) technology in cervical cytology. Cytology is the laboratory step that manually examines cervical cell samples using a microscope. The study is looking at whether AI could help laboratory experts to deliver safe, accurate and sustainable cervical screening into the future.
- Two new research projects aim to build a clearer picture of how trans and gender diverse people in Ireland experience cervical and breast screening. The projects will explore what can be done to improve access to screening and create more inclusive services. The research is being led from University College Dublin (UCD) in partnership with the NSS.