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According to a study by the Netherlands Population Research Center, fewer and fewer women between the ages of 30 and 34 are taking part in cervical cancer screening. The main reasons for this are lack of knowledge, difficulty talking about it and fear. Do you understand that women don’t get a smear test every five years?
According to the RIVM, 900 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year and 200 women die as a result every year. The RIVM population survey can detect the disease in a timely manner or even prevent it. Women between the ages of 30 and 60 receive an invitation to participate in the population survey every five years. General practitioner Eline Schreuders explains the importance of the smear test to VROUW: “Everyone can choose whether to take part or not, the test is not compulsory.” But it is a form of cancer that you may be able to prevent.”
standby
But population research in the Netherlands shows that only 79 percent of women between the ages of 30 and 34 are willing to have a smear test to determine whether they have cervical cancer. In 2022, only 41 percent of them actually followed the invitation to take part in the population survey.
The participation of young women in the cervical cancer screening program has decreased significantly in recent years. Women between the ages of 30 and 34 are the least likely to take part. However, 20.2 percent of this group have HPV, the most common cause of cervical cancer. The risk of developing the disease is also highest in women between the ages of 30 and 45.
Furthermore, it appears that one in three women have inadequate knowledge about the causes and consequences of cervical cancer or population screening.
Fear
Research shows that this topic is difficult for many women to talk about. To raise the issue for discussion, the Dutch Population Survey, the RIVM and the KWF are jointly drawing attention to population screening for cervical cancer. In order to dispel tensions, fears and doubts, the organizations have launched a social media campaign: “Let’s talk about BMHK.” Have you #taken the swab or self-test yet? The campaign launches on January 15 as part of Cervical Cancer Prevention Week. In her opinion, opening the conversation about cervical cancer is the way to convince a large part of the target audience.
Join the conversation
Do you understand that women don’t get a smear test every five years? Is enough information available or should more attention be paid to it?
Comments on X
Dees believes that the explanation of cervical cancer is becoming more nuanced:
Elise doesn’t understand why discussing the 5-year smear test is so taboo:
Barbara is very concerned about this topic:
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