Many young women delay cervical cancer screening, campaign urges immediate action

A concerning number of women between the ages of 30 and 34 are delaying participation in the cervical cancer screening program in the Netherlands. Only 3 out of 10 women in this age group take action within 12 weeks after receiving their invitation. This delay is worrying because it is in this age group that human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are most common, and HPV is a leading cause of cervical cancer, KWF reports.

The cervical cancer screening participation rate among women aged 30-34 has increased from 41 percent in 2022 to 48 percent in 2023. However, more than half of women in this age group still do not act on their invitations, mainly because they delay the process. Reasons for delay vary: some women lose their invitation, are unsure if it is still valid, forget, hesitate due to pregnancy, or simply put it off.

To combat this issue, Bevolkingsonderzoek Nederland, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), and the Dutch Cancer Society (KWF Kankerbestrijding) have launched a nationwide campaign titled "Doe het vandaag!" (Do it today!), which encourages women to take action immediately upon receiving their invitation. The campaign kicks off during Cervical Cancer Prevention Week.

The campaign encourages women to take immediate action and not let the invitation go unanswered. A checklist of steps women can take is available on the website www.bmhk.nl/vandaag. The checklist includes advice for women who have lost their invitation, are unsure of its validity, are pregnant, or are still uncertain about participating.

Every year, approximately 900 women in the Netherlands are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 200 die from the disease. Women between the ages of 30 and 45 are at the highest risk. Early detection through participation in the screening program can identify abnormalities in the cervix, which can often be treated before they develop into cancer.

Since July of last year, women in the Netherlands who turn 30 have been sent a self-test kit along with their screening invitation. The self-test checks for the presence of HPV and can be done at home, making it a more accessible option. Alternatively, women can still choose to have the screening at their local doctor’s office through a smear test.