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Welcome to the latest news update from the National Screening Service. You’ll find our latest news below. We welcome your feedback - please contact us at communications@screeningservice.ie.

Minister for Health approves recommendation to lower BowelScreen age range

Patient advocates Peter Larner and Mary Kennedy at a media event to
promote Bowel Cancer Awareness Month

The Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has approved a recommendation by the National Screening Advisory Committee to extend the BowelScreen age range to people aged 50 to 54. BowelScreen is a proven, effective programme and this is a major step forward in cancer prevention and early detection for Ireland.

AI and the future of breast screening

Professor Gerald Lip

Professor Gerald Lip is the project lead for Scotland’s GEMINI project which is evaluating the use of AI in radiology during breast screening. He is a member of our NSS AI Strategic Advisory Committee, which is advising on the use of AI in BreastCheck. Here, he answers some key questions about the future for AI in breast screening.

Language the biggest barrier to accessing screening, says Roma peer support group

Last year, we worked with Cairde, a community development organisation that tackles health inequities among minority ethnic communities by improving their access to health services and their participation in health planning and delivery.

East Limerick Traveller Project supports women in symptom awareness, registering, and attending for cervical screening

Members of the East Limerick Traveller Project

Since 2025, we have worked with the East Limerick Traveller Project to help reduce barriers to screening experienced by members of the Traveller community.

We provided training to members of the project team that enables them to confidently support members of the local community in recognising signs and symptoms, registering for screening programmes, and encouraging attendance.

New European guidelines on cervical screening published 

Professor Nóirín Russell

The European Commission Initiative on Cervical Cancer (EC-CvC) has published new European guidelines on cervical screening. The guidelines are about when to start cervical screening and how often to screen for people who had the HPV vaccine when they were younger.

CervicalCheck Clinical Director Professor Nóirín Russell says: “We continue to look at emerging evidence to improve outcomes for women who choose screening and to ensure that we are applying best international practice in our CervicalCheck programme.”

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