In June 2025, the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the National Screening Service issued a formal apology to Leona Macken, a 38-year-old mother of two from Dublin, acknowledging significant failures in her cervical cancer screening. Ms. Macken’s case underscores persistent systemic issues within Ireland’s CervicalCheck programme, despite previous reforms following high-profile scandals.

A Preventable Tragedy

Ms. Macken underwent routine cervical smear tests in 2016 and 2020, both of which were reported as negative. However, in 2023, she was diagnosed with stage 3 cervical cancer, which has since progressed to stage 4 and is now deemed incurable. Medical experts later determined that the earlier smear tests had been misread, allowing the cancer to develop unchecked.

In her own words, Ms. Macken stated, “I am fighting this since 2023. I started asking questions and thank God I did. We are told to trust the process. Something is not working in the system. Something needs to be fixed.”

Legal Proceedings and Apology

Given the severity of her condition, Ms. Macken’s legal case against the HSE was expedited through the High Court. The court heard that due to failures in the CervicalCheck programme, her cancer was allowed to progress to an advanced stage. The HSE and the National Screening Service acknowledged these failures and issued a formal apology.

Fiona Murphy, Chief Executive of the National Screening Service, expressed “deep regret” to Ms. Macken and her family, acknowledging the challenges they have faced as a result of the diagnosis. She hoped that the settlement would provide some level of comfort and security.

Ongoing Concerns and Calls for Reform

Ms. Macken’s case is not isolated. It echoes the experiences of other women affected by the CervicalCheck scandal, notably Vicky Phelan, who brought national attention to the issue in 2018. Despite previous inquiries and recommendations for reform, Ms. Macken’s experience suggests that systemic problems persist.

Her solicitor, Cian O’Carroll, criticized the continued lack of transparency and oversight, stating that it is a “complete falsehood” that improvements have been made in how women are informed about errors in their smear tests.

Personal Impact

The emotional toll on Ms. Macken and her family has been profound. During the court proceedings, her husband, Alan, was visibly emotional as the apology was read. Ms. Macken, who is undergoing chemotherapy and immunotherapy, expressed that receiving the apology felt like “the golden ticket,” providing a sense of validation for her ordeal.

Ms. Macken’s case highlights the urgent need for comprehensive reform in Ireland’s cervical cancer screening programme. It underscores the importance of accurate diagnostics, timely communication, and systemic accountability to prevent such tragedies in the future.

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