A nationwide public awareness campaign on cervical cancer was unveiled in Dublin today.
The "Tell Her About It" six-day information roadshow, which kicks off on Monday, will provide free advice to Irish women about this common and potentially fatal disease.
Nurses will staff information stands at some of the country's major shopping centres, from Dublin to Cork and Galway.
Ireland has one of the highest rates of cervical cancer in Europe, and the National Cancer Registry predicts on average around 180 women are diagnosed with the condition each year.
Cervical cancer is caused by the Human Papillomavirus, which is transmitted by genital contact.
The virus is very common with up to 80 per cent of sexually active women unknowingly contracting the infection at some time in their lives, although most are cleared by the body's immune system with no noticeable symptoms.
But some strands of the virus are more serious, and if undetected for a number of years could develop into cervical cancer. The average age of women diagnosed with the illness is 46, while the average age at death is 56.
The "Tell Her About It" campaign will have information stands on consecutive days from Monday at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, Co Dublin; Mahon Point, Cork; Eyre Square, Galway; Ilac Shopping Centre, Dublin; Liffey Valley Shopping Centre, Dublin, and Castletroy Shopping Centre, Limerick.
More information about the campaign can be found at www.tellher.ie