The invitation
When will you receive an invitation?
We invite people between the ages of 30 and 60 five times for the population screening for cervical cancer. You will receive an invitation when you are 30, 35, 40, 50 and 60 years old. It usually takes 10 to 15 years for cervical cancer to develop. As a result, more frequent testing is not necessary. In some cases you will also receive an invitation if you are 45, 55 or 65 years old. For example, if HPV (human papillomavirus) was found during your previous participation, or if you did not participate previously. In case of complaints it is very important to go to the doctor. Don't wait for the next invite.
When you will receive an invitation depends on your year of birth. At the bottom of this page you can enter your year of birth to see when you will receive an invitation. You decide whether or not to participate in the screening for cervical cancer.
Are you HPV vaccinated?
If you had the HPV vaccination as a teenager, it is still important to participate in the screening for cervical cancer.
The HPV vaccine protects against the 2 types of HPV that most commonly cause cervical cancer. With the HPV vaccination you are therefore better protected against cervical cancer. But it is not 100% protection.
You will receive the first invitation around your 30th birthday. Read more about the HPV vaccination and participation in the screening here.
Lost your invitation?
Have you lost or damaged the invitation letter? You can request your invitation letter again on Mijn bevolkingsonderzoek. You need your DigiD to log in. You can also contact the information line.
NB!
In the second round of screening, clients who were 40 or 50 years old in the first round of screening and had an HPV-negative result are not invited (10-year interval) to participate. Clients aged 40 or 50 who had an HPV-positive result or who did not participate are invited to participate and thus follow the 5-year interval.
This means that someone from 1970 with an HPV negative result will only receive a new invitation in 2030 and not in 2025, as is now stated in the year of birth checker.
If you are 40 or 50 years old and the test shows that you do not have HPV, you will receive your next invitation 10 years later.
If HPV is detected but there are no abnormal cells, you will be invited again in five years’ time. This also applies to women aged 60 where HPV is detected. They will receive a final invitation on their 65th birthday.
When you receive an invitation depends on your date of birth.
The smear test
The invitation letter contains two barcode stickers. The GP needs these stickers for the smear test.
- You need to contact your GP surgery to make your own appointment for your smear test. Please take the invitation letter with you to the appointment. Otherwise the GP will be unable to carry out the smear test.
- You shouldn’t have the test during your period, so try to make an appointment after or before your period is due.
- A full bladder or full bowels can make the smear test feel uncomfortable, which is why we recommend that you go to the toilet before your test.
The self-test kit
If you find it uncomfortable having a smear test and this is a reason not to participate in the cervical screening, please read more about the self-test kit on www.bevolkingsonderzoekbaarmoederhalskanker.nl
You can request a self-test kit via My Health Screening. You will need your DigiD to log in. You can also call our information line or send an e-mail.
Symptoms
If you have any signs or symptoms of cervical cancer, such as an unusual discharge or unexpected blood spotting, please visit your GP and do not wait for your cervical screening invitation.
Participation as a trans or non-binaire person
Bevolkingsonderzoek Nederland sends the invitations for the screening for breast cancer, cervical cancer and bowel cancer on the basis of the data as known by the civil registry at the municipality.
All people between the ages of 55 and 75 are invited to participate in the bowel cancer screening programme, regardless of gender registration.
Transgender people and people with a gender registration X/O who are eligible for the screening for cervical cancer and breast cancer on the basis of physical characteristics and age can participate. The brochure Your gender registration and the screening for cancer has been developed for this purpose. This folder contains information about participation in the population screening for cervical cancer and breast cancer for transgender people and people with an X/O gender registration.
If you would like more information about the application process, please see the gender diversity page. The registration form is also included here, with which you can register for the desired population screenings.
Frequently asked questions
I have lost my invitation
If you have lost your invitation or if it is damaged you can request a new invitation letter on My Health Screening. You will need your DigiD to log in. You can also contact our information line.
When will I be invited for cervical cancer screening?
You will receive your first invitation for cervical cancer screening when you are 30 years old. After that, you will be invited at the age of 35, 40, 50 and 60 years.
Is it still necessary to participate in the population screening if I have had the HPV vaccination?
Yes, it is still important to participate in the population screening. The HPV vaccine protects against the 2 types of HPV that most commonly cause cervical cancer. However, there are other HPV types that can cause cervical cancer. With the HPV vaccination you are largely protected against cervical cancer. Even if you have been vaccinated against HPV, you still have a small chance of getting cervical cancer. That is why it is important to participate in the population screening. You will receive an invitation for this from the age of 30.
Why don't I get the self-sampling kit right away with the invitation?
You choose how you want to participate in the population screening. This can be done with a smear or a self-sampling kit. Are you 35 years or older? Then you can request a self-sampling kit or make an appointment with your GP for a smear test. If you do nothing, you will automatically receive a self-sampling kit at home 12 weeks after your invitation. People aged 30 are invited for the first time. We want to make it easier for them to participate in the population screening. This is important: research shows that 30-year-olds have the highest risk of HPV and participate the least. Because we want to lower the threshold for participation, they receive the self-sampling kit immediately with the invitation. To prevent waste, we do not send the self-sampling kit to everyone directly with the invitation.
I have been sent the self-sampling kit, but would rather participate in a smear test, what now?
That's no problem. Make an appointment at your GP practice for a pap smear. Bring your invitation letter with the barcode stickers to the appointment. Dispose of the self-sampling kit with the plastic and paper waste.
I do not want to use the self-sampling kit, but I have been sent it. Can I hand it in somewhere or send it back for reuse?
No, unfortunately that is not possible. The self-sampling kit is linked to your personal data. Also, the quality requirements can no longer be guaranteed once someone has received it. If you are not using it, dispose of the self-sampling kit with the plastic and paper waste.
I want to make an appointment for a smear test, but my doctor says I need to order a self-sampling kit. Now what?
You decide how you participate. Emphasize to your doctor that you want to have a Pap smear. Your GP should offer you this option. You may also make an appointment at another general practice.