Below I will attach some information that is stated on the www.hse.ie about cervical cancer then I will share my thoughts on why I strongly believe that the age for smear tests in Ireland (which is currently 25) need to be lowered. I would be incredibley grateful if you could take the time to sign and share this petition if you agree.

"Cervical cancer is a cancer of the cervix (the neck of the womb).

It happens when cells in the cervix become abnormal and change slowly over time. Abnormal cells are sometimes called pre-cancerous cells. They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).

In most cases, it takes 10 to 15 years for these cells to go from normal to abnormal to cancer.

Who can get cervical cancer? 

If you have a cervix and have had any kind of sexual contact, you could get cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer mostly affects people aged 30 to 50 who have ever been sexually active.

Every year in Ireland about 300 people get cervical cancer. 90 women die from it."

Now I attach some of the things I can't get my head around and why I feel the screening age needs to change.

So many women receive the results of their first smear test as abnormal in some way. Yes they can say in most cases it takes 10-15 years for the cells to go from normal-abnormal-cancer but how do we no when them cells started to first change. 

Why is there so many women in their 20s and 30s being diagnosed with pre-cancerous cells, going through invasive procedures as they weren't caught in time to treat in "easier" ones, loosing the chance to have children, being diagnosed with cervical cancer and worst of all being diagnosed with terminal cancer or losing their life to Cancer.

I'm fully aware that there is so many types of cancer and I sympatise with anyone who has to go through any illness at any age of their life or watch a family member or friend do so. I'm not trying to take away from any other type of cancer and its screening process but my argument is Cancer does not care what age you are so why are women having to wait till they are 25?

Since I spoke on social media about having a Hysterectomy in September of last year 3 days before my 31st birthday, I was so shocked at how many women reached out to speak about smear tests and different procedures and some of the stories I've heard from them has genuinely shocked me. I consider myself very very lucky compared to some of the women who I know and who have shared there stories with me. Over the time of this petition I will be reaching back out to these ladies and others to see if they would like to share their experiences to raise awareness in the updates. 

Do I believe that lowering the age will suddenly mean that no women will have to go through Cervical Cancer in the future?No.

But do I believe that it may help them women if its found earlier? Yes.

I also believe the woman that don't fall into the category of "most cases" are just as important.

Change is needed and change has to start somewhere. Thank you for taking the time to read. Please feel free to share.