World Gynaecologic Oncology (GO) DAY aims to educate people worldwide about gynaecological cancer. Learn more about cervical cancer, one of the five main types of gynaecological cancer.

GO DAY on September 20th aims to educate people worldwide about prevention, screening, symptoms, early diagnosis and treatment of gynaecological cancers. The Marie Keating Foundation is playing its part in supporting this initiative. Cervical cancer is one of the five main types of gynaecological cancer. Others include ovarian, uterine, vaginal and vulvar.

What is cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is cancer that starts in the cells of the cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the womb (uterus), also called the neck of the womb. Cervical cancer usually develops slowly over time.¹

What causes cervical cancer?

Most cases (at least nine in 10) are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is very common. At least 80% of people will get an HPV infection. HPV can cause cells in the cervix to become abnormal. These abnormal cells can develop into cervical cancer over time. It usually takes 15 to 20 years for abnormal cells to become cancer, but rarely, it can develop more quickly.

If you have HPV, the following can increase your risk of getting cervical cancer:

• Smoking doubles the likelihood of developing cervical cancer
• Having a weakened immune system
• Being sexually active in your early teens
• If your birth mother took the hormonal drug diethylstilbestrol (DES) while pregnant with you²

Not everyone diagnosed with
cervical cancer will have symptoms.

What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?

Not everyone diagnosed with cervical cancer will have symptoms. That’s why it’s important to attend regular cervical screening. Symptoms include unusual vaginal bleeding; pain or discomfort during sex; vaginal discharge; pain in the area between the hip bones (pelvis). If you have any symptoms, see your GP. Don’t panic, as symptoms can be caused by conditions other than cancer.³

Ireland’s plan to eliminate cervical cancer

Ireland is on target to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040 as part of a global initiative led by the World Health Organization (WHO).⁴

Cervical cancer is highly preventable and curable if caught early. Nearly all cervical cancers can be prevented by HPV vaccination, routine HPV cervical screening and effective treatment of high-grade abnormal cervical disease. ⁵

1. Cancer Research UK. 2023. Cervical cancer.
2. HSE. 2023. Cervical cancer causes.
3. Cancer Research UK. 2023. Symptoms of cervical cancer.
4. HSE. 2024. HSE launches cervical cancer elimination action plan as latest figures show Ireland is on track to reach historic goal by 2040.
5. National Cancer Institute. 2024. Cervical cancer causes, risk factors, and prevention.

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Period tracking apps are growing in popularity as substitutes for contraception, but they don’t suit everyone. 

Period or cycle tracker apps have become popular as a tool for improving menstrual cycle awareness. By consistently logging the dates of your period, the software can help predict ovulation and identify changes in your cycle.

Limitations of reproductive cycle tracking apps

Cycle tracker apps can also assist with conceiving and avoiding pregnancy. This works well for some women, but as a reproductive healthcare specialist, I am concerned about their promotion by some influencers as a substitute for modern contraceptive methods.

The failure rate is higher than that of any modern contraceptive. If an unintended pregnancy would be a crisis for you, these apps are not a suitable replacement for contraception. Indeed, when I meet people who have relied on period tracker apps, it is often when they need abortion care.

What do I need to know about period trackers?

The efficacy of these apps differs based on your fertility goals and unique circumstances. Everyone’s cycle is different. If yours is irregular or even variable by a few days, ovulation will be harder to predict. This can increase the number of days flagged as ‘fertile’ or ‘unsafe’ throughout the month — sometimes requiring long periods of abstinence if you want to avoid pregnancy.

Prediction accuracy is further reduced if you have recently given birth, are a young teenager, are breastfeeding or are perimenopausal.

With a copper coil, you still get
your period but can be over 99%
sure that you won’t get pregnant.

What are the most effective ways to avoid unintended pregnancy?

Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are the most effective way of avoiding pregnancy. These include hormonal intra-uterine devices — and the copper coil, which is a great non-hormonal option. With a copper coil, you still get your period but can be over 99% sure that you won’t get pregnant. Condoms further minimise the risk of conception and protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

What if I’ve had unprotected sex on a ‘fertile’ or ‘unsafe’ day?

If you didn’t use contraception or if it failed on an ‘unsafe’ day, after-sex emergency contraception can prevent pregnancy for up to five days after intercourse, but they should always be taken as soon as possible for peak efficacy. Under the national free contraception scheme, those aged 17 to 35 can get free emergency contraception from participating pharmacies. If you have an unintended pregnancy, early medical abortion is also an option.

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New research reveals menopause forces thousands of Irish women to step back from careers, as well as quit their jobs, costing businesses vital talent and expertise.

The Menopause Hub’s 2025 Menopause and Perimenopause survey of over 2,500 Irish women reveals a workplace crisis hiding in plain sight.

Menopause is driving talent loss

A staggering 32% of women have stepped back from promotional opportunities due to peri/menopause symptoms, while 29% have reduced their working hours. Perhaps most alarming, 36% have considered giving up work entirely, with 8% actually leaving their positions.

With menopausal women representing the fastest-growing demographic in the workforce, this translates to approximately 286,000 Irish women contemplating leaving or having already left their careers due to menopause-related challenges. The scale of this talent exodus should concern every employer nationally.

Performance under pressure

The workplace impact extends far beyond career decisions. An overwhelming 83% of women report that symptoms affected their work performance, while 43% missed work due to menopause-related health issues. Yet, 77% never disclosed menopause as the reason for their absence to their employer, highlighting the persistent stigma surrounding this natural life transition.

Women’s requests are
clear and achievable.

Building better workplaces

Women’s requests are clear and achievable. They want menopause policies (73%), manager and HR training (75%), accredited workplace programmes (81%) and access to menopause specialists (84%). Currently, 92% receive no menopause-related workplace support, while 51% perceive workplace stigma around menopause.

Beyond the business case, employers also face growing legislative risk, with menopause-related discrimination claims increasingly pursued under age, gender and disability legislation. Crucially, 85% of women are attracted to organisations offering perimenopause and menopause support, demonstrating the powerful recruitment and retention opportunity for forward-thinking employers.

The path forward

Data confirms that workplaces offering customised relief programmes, flexible work arrangements and destigmatising health resources report an 80% boost in staff retention, protecting irreplaceable skill capital. Over 50% of menopausal employees increase their productivity, while organisations gain major reputational lift.

The legislative landscape is rapidly evolving. On 1 July 2025, the UK Government published its Employment Rights Bill roadmap — the biggest transformation of workplace rights in decades. From 2027, UK businesses with over 250 employees must have menopause action plans, with voluntary adoption from April 2026. Similar legislation is expected to reach Ireland, giving forward-thinking organisations a crucial competitive advantage by acting now.

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Six regional fertility hubs offering assisted human reproduction (AHR) treatment have been established by the HSE as part of the development of public fertility services.

Each of the hubs, as of September 2023, is now being positioned to make referrals for publicly funded, privately provided AHR treatment for eligible patients.

National AHR referral process

A GP will usually refer a couple to a regional fertility hub if they have been trying to conceive for a year (or six months if the woman is aged over 35) or one or both have had or currently have a known health problem that affects fertility.

At the hub, patients can expect to receive a structured fertility review and examination. Clinical assessments are then made by the specialist public fertility teams, and the next appropriate steps are decided.

Next steps may include medical or surgical treatments and management at hub-level. Some couples will need onward referral to other specialties. For some, advanced fertility treatment such as IVF/ICSI may be indicated.

At the hub, patients can expect to
receive a structured fertility
review and examination.

AHR pathway and potential timelines

For public patients who are clinically indicated for AHR and meet the national access for publicly funded treatment, a referral is made by their respective public fertility hub to a private provider of the patient’s choosing, once the patient meets the relevant eligibility criteria. There are eight HSE-approved AHR providers distributed across the country to ensure access nationally.

Under arrangements with private AHR clinics, following referral by a regional fertility hub team, the initial consultation should occur within six weeks. Active treatment should begin within six weeks of that consultation, unless delayed for clinical reasons. Hubs are now receiving between 500 to 550 referrals per month across all six hubs.

Public AHR outcomes reported

In early 2025, the HSE produced a report on the first year of the AHR service. The report highlighted that 2,997 couples were seen in the regional fertility hubs between September 2023 to August 2024. 

As of the end of July 2025, 2,669 couples have been referred for AHR treatment since the commencement of the referral pathway in September 2023. In addition to clinical pregnancies being reported further to care and management at the regional hub level, the HSE has noted an overall 38% clinical pregnancy success rate arising from publicly funded AHR treatment. The highest success rates are being reported in the 18 to 30 age bracket, with lower rates being reported in the 35-plus age bracket.

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In Ireland, women with intellectual disabilities (ID) face significant health disparities, particularly in relation to menopause, breast cancer and sexual health.

Sunbeam House Services supports people with intellectual disabilities, promoting their health and wellbeing. Despite national initiatives to improve women’s health, many remain underserved — particularly those with additional or complex needs. As Ireland’s population ages and health needs evolve, it’s vital to highlight both the challenges and opportunities in ensuring inclusive care and upholding the rights of all women.

Providing accessible sexual health education

Sexual health is a vital component of overall wellbeing, yet it is often overlooked for women with intellectual disabilities.

Sunbeam House Services’ ‘Time to Talk’ initiative addresses this gap by providing accessible education and safe spaces for open dialogue. The programme is developed with input from the Viewpoint Committee — an advocacy group of people with ID.

Breast cancer and menopause awareness

While breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers among Irish women, research tells us that women with intellectual disabilities are disproportionately affected by late-stage diagnoses and lower participation in screening programmes.

The ‘Look, Feel, Tell’ campaign provides accessible resources to help women with ID recognise symptoms and seek help.

Stewarts Care and Breast Cancer Ireland have also produced an easy-read guide to the eight signs of breast cancer. Menopausal symptoms are often missed in this group, and low uptake of treatment highlights the need for tailored support.

Improving women’s health for
those with intellectual disabilities
requires more than medical interventions.

A people-centred strategy

While national plans acknowledge the need for inclusive health services, specific measures for women with ID remain limited. Reports such as Breaking Down Barriers, particularly the National Screening Service, identify systemic obstacles in accessing screening services.

Fortunately, the National Sexual Health Strategy 2025–2035 sets out an inclusive vision for sexual health and wellbeing in Ireland. Its focus on equity, accessibility and social inclusion means services must be tailored to people with intellectual disabilities. Aligned with Sunbeam’s Transformation Plan 2025–2030, the strategy promotes diversity, equality, sex positivity and joined-up, people-centred care.

Every woman has a right to appropriate care

Improving women’s health for those with intellectual disabilities requires more than medical interventions; it demands inclusive education, accessible resources and empowered voices.

Programmes like ‘Time to Talk’ and advocacy groups like Viewpoint are vital in shaping a future where every woman — regardless of ability — can access the care and support she deserves. Sunbeam will continue to advocate for women’s rights to appropriate and timely healthcare.

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