Pearl of Wisdom Campaign
Published: Tuesday, February 13, 2018
The Pearl of Wisdom pin (above) is the European symbol of cervical cancer prevention. During the Pearl of Wisdom campaign, our group member the Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA) distributes 30,000 pins to health promotion networks across Ireland. NWCI is a proud supporter of the campaign, and encourages our members to #ShareTheWisdom about cervical cancer with family and friends.
European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (ECCPW) took place from 28th January to 3rd February, with events across Europe highlighting the importance of cervical screening for women aged 25-60. Since 2008, the IFPA has partnered with CervicalCheck - The National Cervical Screening Programme – to promote the week in Ireland.
In Ireland, approximately 300 women in Ireland are diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer each year and over 90 women die from the disease. In tandem with the HPV vaccine, regular screening is the most effective way to prevent cervical cancer.
Through CervicalCheck, women aged 25-60 can avail of free regular cervical screening from over 4,500 registered practitioners of their choice.
The Pearl of Wisdom campaign highlights these messages and encourages women to check when their next free test is due, or to book their first test. This can be done on www.cervicalcheck.ie or by calling CervicalCheck on Freephone 1800 45 45 55.
Pictured are some of the campaign ambassadors, Ashling and Aoife O’Regan. Cervical screening protected the O’Regan sisters. Ashling and Aoife O’Regan’s story highlights how important it is to share the wisdom about cervical screening.
Their mother, Jacqueline O’Regan, always strongly encouraged her daughter Ashling to prioritise her cervical screening. At age 28, Ashling’s test found pre-cancerous cell changes. She attended for treatment and is now healthy. She passed the message of the importance of cervical screening onto her younger sister Aoife.
Aoife’s very first test at age 25 revealed pre-cancerous cell changes. She too is well after receiving treatment, and wants to join her sister in sharing the wisdom with other women: don’t put off your cervical screening – it only takes a few minutes and it could save your life.