Welcome to Jo's Trust Fighting Cervical Cancer; a charity dedicated to women, their families and friends affected by pre-cancer and cancer of the cervix.

www.cervicalcancer.ie is a new website for Irish women and their families, which offers support and the most up-to-date information on every aspect of pre-cancer and cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is an important health issue for women so Jo's Trust is here for you. If you have a question or concern about smear tests, the causes of cervical cancer, treatment options, new drugs, or procedures or just need reassurance, click on 'Confidential Medical Advice' and ask the Trust's online medical panel of 40 experts in gynaecological cancer.

If you wish to 'meet' other women facing similar challenges, click on 'Let's Meet' and join a very supportive and active forum. Jo's Trust organised its first Irish 'Let's Meet' day in Dublin on 30th November, 2006. This was a very successful and enjoyable day and one we hope to repeat annually.

Approximately 180 women in Ireland are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year and regrettably 73 women die. Most Irish women do not currently have access to a cervical screening programme. Phase 1 of the Irish Cervical Screening Programme (ICSP) has been offering free cervical screening to women aged 25-60 years in the Mid West area since October 2000. Jo's Trust welcomes the Government's commitment to implement organised screening nationwide by 2008.

The development of vaccines to prevent infection with specific types of HPV, which have been identified by research as the principal causes of cervical cancer, are acknowledged as a major scientific breakthrough in cervical cancer prevention.

A combination of national organised screening and vaccination programmes offers the first realistic opportunity to eradicate a cancer in future generations. Action now will save lives!

For further information contact: info@cervicalcancer.ie

Jo's Trust - making a difference.