If you haven’t had a smear test, it's time to book yourself one. They are free, quick and painless.  A new piece of research by The Marie Keating Foundationhas found that an estimated 110,000 women in Ireland have never had a smear test. The report also highlighted that around 1 in 4 women did not go for their regular smear test last year. It’s important to get a smear test every three to five years. The research is part of a new campaign called ‘Don’t Fear The Smear’ which urges women aged 25 to 60 to attend any of Cervical Check’s 4,500 participating GPs and nurses nationwide. Cervical cancer is the second most common female cancer in Europe, with about 300 diagnoses in Ireland each year. Up to 80% of cervical cancers can be prevented through regular smear tests. Though some women have never been for a smear test, the Don’t Fear the Smear research also found that two in three women (66 per cent) believe that smear tests are both ‘important’ and ‘necessary’, and over half of those surveyed (54 per cent) said that smear tests are now part of their health routine. The survey also highlighted that younger women are more likely than women over 50 years of age to avail of the free CervicalCheck service. Smear tests are free, quick and painless, so don’t fear the smear! Check out the short video below for more information. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsMlJ_jYhus For more information about smear tests and cervical cancer from the Marie Keating Foundation, please click here.