Everyone's health must be valued.

IT'S shocking to learn a woman's chances of developing cervical cancer can be dictated by her address.

But these are the stark findings of a new shocking study carried out by the Well Woman Clinic which found women from certain social backgrounds are more likely to develop the virus that leads to the disease.

Poor diet, smoking and being sexually active at a young age are all factors.

A national cervical cancer vaccine programme for all 12-year-old girls would have been a vital tool in fighting this devastating illness among disadvantaged women.

But last year the Government said we can't afford to fund this EUR10million lifesaving scheme, despite cervical cancer killing 70 Irish women each year.

The Well Woman clinic says the HSE has cut vital funding for sexual and reproductive health programmes in the last year.

The group, which provides smear tests and sexual disease testing for disadvantaged women, has been forced to turn away thousands of medical card patients since last year.

Doctors warn many girls who have developed the deadly virus which leads to cervical cancer may be going undiagnosed.

While others who've contracted chlamydia, which is a silent disease, may ruin their chances of ever having children.

It is shameful that our government continues to run a two-tiered health service which discriminates against the most vulnerable.

Everyone, no matter what their background, is entitled to a decent health service.