Why you should not put down your invitation for the cervical cancer population screening

Do not put aside the call for the cervical cancer population screening, but make an appointment right away. When will you receive a call for the cervical cancer population screening? In the Netherlands you will receive the first call on or shortly after your thirtieth birthday. After that, a new invitation will follow every five years. It is easy to send the letter to…

Don't put the call for the cervical cancer population screening aside, but make an appointment right away.

When will you receive a call for the cervical cancer population screening?

In the Netherlands you will receive the first call on or shortly after your thirtieth birthday. After that, a new invitation will follow every five years. It's easy to put the letter aside and forget it. Still, it's really important to go right away.

With regular examination, there is a good chance that abnormalities will be discovered in time

It takes about fifteen years for cervical cancer to develop. Some of the precancerous conditions of cervical cancer may disappear on their own within a few years. Research has shown that participating in the population screening every five years gives a very high chance of discovering abnormalities in time.

For more information about the cervical cancer population screening, visit the RIVM website.

Types of HPV

There are more than 100 types of HPV (human papillomavirus). Fifteen HPV types can cause cervical cancer. There are also more harmless forms of HPV, which cause warts on hands or feet, for example.

Deviant cells

Abnormal cells can be found on a Pap smear. This means the result:

• PAP1: There are no abnormal cells.
• PAP2: A few cells look different than usual. After six months, another smear is made.
• PAP3A: There is a small abnormality in the cells, you will be referred to the gynecologist for further examination.
• PAP3B: The cells deviate slightly more than with PAP3A. You will be forwarded to the gynecologist for examination.
• PAP4: Abnormal cells with a high probability that treatment is needed.
• PAP5: abnormal cells. It could mean cervical cancer, but it doesn't have to. Follow-up treatment/operation is required.

Complaints, but no call for the population screening

If you have the following complaints, it is wise to visit your doctor, even if you have not yet been called up for a population screening.

• Bleeding after sex.
• Blood loss outside of menstruation.
• Blood loss after menopause.
• Separation is different than usual.

The cause may be something else, but it is wise to contact your doctor in the above cases.