NETHERLANDS —In a bid to boost participation in mass screening for cervical cancer, women between the ages of 30 and 60 in the Netherlands will receive a self-smear test, according to a report by DutchNews.nl.
The RIVM health institute has confirmed that the results of this test, which is conducted every five years, are just as reliable as a pap test conducted by a family doctor.
Although the option to request a self-test has been available since 2017, it will now be sent as a standard procedure to all women upon turning 30, with an additional option for women over 35 years of age.
Cervical cancer, a disease that often exhibits no symptoms, primarily affects women between the ages of 30 and 60.
By detecting the presence of the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can lead to the development of cervical cancer, a smear test enables early intervention and subsequent treatment to prevent the progression of the disease.
Recent years have witnessed a decline in the number of women visiting their doctors for smear tests.
In 2021, only 44% of women between the ages of 30 and 34 participated in the screening, as reported by the news source.
The reasons behind this trend include discomfort associated with the test and a lack of available time, as stated by the RIVM.
Of the women invited to undergo testing in 2021, only 55% actually attended. Tragically, approximately 900 women in the Netherlands are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, of whom 200 do not survive.
Without the implementation of mass screening, an estimated 500 women would succumb to this disease.
Sandra van Dijk, the manager responsible for cervical cancer screening at the RIVM, expressed her belief that the number of women partaking in the test would increase significantly if they were able to conduct it in the comfort of their own homes.
According to van Dijk’s statement to broadcaster NOS, all women who reach the age of 30 will receive the test by mail.
From the age of 35, women will have the choice between a self-test or a test conducted by a doctor. Those who do not select either option will be sent a test kit.
While vaccination against HPV is currently administered from the age of 10, encompassing both boys and girls, vaccination rates have seen a slight decline.
As of now, approximately 50% of boys and 60% of girls have received their first vaccination.
Even women who have received the HPV vaccine must still undergo a pap test, as the vaccine does not provide complete protection.
Van Dijk explained that the presence of the virus necessitates further examination of the cells, which cannot be done through a self-test alone. Thus, women in this category will still need to visit their doctors for the regular smear test.
Van Dijk further stated that the virus is found in only 10% of cases, and in most instances, there is no cause for concern.
The primary aim of screening is to identify cervical cancer, particularly in its early stages, where thousands of cases are detected each year.
Early detection allows for effective treatment, preventing the progression of the disease into a more serious condition.
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