AQW 33688/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 16/10/2025
Answered On Date: 31/10/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health, pursuant to AQW 31824/22-27, to detail what specific measures his Department is taking to ensure that women are clearly informed that cervical screening does not detect ovarian, womb, or other gynaecological cancers, given the common misconception that smear tests check for all women’s cancers.

Answer:

The Public Health Agency’s (PHA) public facing information and resources for all screening programmes are kept under regular review and are updated as necessary.

The PHA has confirmed they will update the information provided on the NIDirect website to advise that cervical screening does not detect ovarian cancer. PHA will also be making similar changes to their patient leaflets for the Northern Ireland Cervical Screening Programme at their next review.

In addition, the PHA will continue to increase public awareness of the signs and symptoms of Ovarian Cancer, through regular social media channels to promote cancer awareness messaging. This includes information on signs and symptoms, and healthy changes people can make to help reduce the risk of developing cancer in the future. In addition, the PHA website provides information about signs and symptoms of a range of cancers, including ovarian cancer, which explains what people can do if concerned, and signposts to recommended sources of support or further information.