A new study has revealed inequalities in the uptake of those going forward for cervical cancer screening.

The working paper published by economists based at NUI Galway (NUIG) compared the numbers of people and their background presenting for screening in Ireland, Northern Ireland, England and the US.

It found that while cervical cancer is known to be more prevalent among those from lower socio-economic groups, uptake of screening in Ireland, England and the US is highest among those from well-off backgrounds.

But by contrast in Northern Ireland, the less well-off were more likely to avail of screening. Interestingly, this was driven by the behaviour of Catholics where a marked pro-poor inequality was evident, no such inequality being evident among Protestants.

The study results show that in Ireland, England and the US a pro-rich pattern of screening exists. Why Northern Ireland should evidence a pro-poor pattern of service use and why Catholics in particular should do so is unclear, the paper says.

NUI Galway say this is an example of how economists can help inform cancer control policies.

Further work by economists from NUIG will be presented at the Inaugural Economics of Cancer Research Symposium on September 2nd.

Professor Ciaran O'Neill is Dean of Business, Public Policy and Law "Every decision has an economic dimension. Whether or not an individual decides to avail of screening, a government decides to fund a particular service or a pharmaceutical company decides to invest in a new treatment, choices are made; choices that have consequences for individuals, families and society" he said.

Brendan Walsh is Economist with NUI Galway and has been looking at the findings.