Irish cervical cancer activist Vicky Phelan died today at the age of 48.
A High Court lawsuit brought by a Limerick mother of two about how her cervical smears were handled garnered the attention of the Irish public and ultimately led to a series of evaluations of Ireland’s cervical cancer screening program CervicalCheck.
Despite being diagnosed with terminal cervical cancer, Ms. Phelan actively advocated for improved healthcare and accountability within the healthcare system.
Her instance spurred additional women to come forward and raised concerns about the program’s quality, how women should be involved and educated about their own healthcare, and the topic of open disclosure.
According to accounts, she passed away in the early hours of this morning at the Milford Hospice in Limerick.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin praised Ms. Phelan, describing her as “a woman of great courage and character.”
He stated on RTE Radio that this is extremely terrible news. I believe she was a woman of tremendous courage and integrity who advocated for the women of Ireland, as well as women worldwide.’
His condolences were expressed to her family.
‘I think in the history of this country, her actions, in particular her refusal to sign a confidentiality agreement at that time and her statement on the steps of the High Court, will be remembered as an example of someone who stood up against the system and the normal conventions of actions and so on to say ‘no, I’m not signing that, I want this revealed in the public interest’ and she stood up for the public interest,’ he added.