Derry City Council are to write to the Health Minister requesting that the age limit for cervical screening in Northern Ireland be lowered following the death of a young woman in the city at the weekend.

Derry woman Sorcha Glenn (pictured above) lost her battle with cervical cancer at the weekend.
 
The 23 year-old had spoken publicly about her fight against the disease in an effort to encourage woman to get screened.

Standing orders were suspended at this afternoon’s monthly meeting of Derry City Council, where SDLP Cllr Angela Dobbins put forward a motion asking for the council to call on the Health Minister to lower the age limit for screen.

Cllr Dobbins said: “I would ask Madam Mayor that you and this council recognise the need to raise public awareness of gynaecological cancers; and call on the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Jim Wells, to look at the age limit of cervical screening with the view of lowering it to aid early detection and therefore improve survival rates.”

She also stated that almost 105 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer in Northern Irelnad each year, resulting in 24 deaths.

Sinn Fein Cllr Elisha McCallion also said that anyone under the age of 25 who wants a smear test done should now demand it from their GP.

Cllr McCallion said: “I would encourage anyone out there who is under 25, they can obtain smears if they demand it. Anyone who has any fears should demand it and if they have any difficulty they should contact us.
 
She added: “Cervical screening should not have to be a demand, it should be a right.” 

The motion was supported by all parties who also expressed their sympathies to Miss Glenn’s family.

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