Why do we conduct this screening?
This cervical screening programme is used to ascertain whether women aged between 30 and 60 years are at risk of cervical cancer. Early detection can prevent cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is caused by a long-term infection with a virus: the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is very common. Almost everyone has HPV at some point. The body almost always clears the virus itself. Sometimes this doesn't work. For example, with a reduced resistance. If the body doesn't clear the virus, the cells in the cervix can change. Abnormal cells can turn into a precancerous stage of cervical cancer. This is not yet cancer and often easy to treat. By treating the abnormal cells, cancer can be prevented from developing.
How does the screening work?
Proven effective
1.014.507 invitations
The number of women who received an invitation in 2021 for the cervical cancer screening program.
555.515 cliënten
The number of women who participated in the cervical cancer screening program in 2021 with a smear (42,7%) or self-sampling kit (12,1%).
9,5% HPV
Of the number of women who participated in the cervical cancer screening program in 2021, HPV was found in 9,5%.
6.246 diagnoses
The number of diagnoses of (precancerous) cervical cancer in 2021. This is 1.1% of all participants.