HPV is the abbreviation for Human Papillomavirus. This is the virus that can cause cervical cancer. HPV is a common virus. This is because the virus is highly contagious: 8 in 10 people will get HPV one or more times in their lifetime. So don’t be too surprised if you have this virus.

You get HPV by having sex with an infected partner. HPV is transmitted through sexual intercourse, through hands, fingers, skin and mouth. The virus can be transmitted between women and men, between women and women and between men and men.

Usually, your body clears the virus within 2 years.

The name actually says it all: cervical cancer means having cancer cells in your cervix. These cancer cells form when your body does not clear HPV (Human Papillomavirus) on its own. In those cases, HPV develops into cervical cancer in 10 to 15 years.
That may not sound much, but in practice it still means that an average of 900 women a year are told they have cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer can cause various symptoms. For example, abdominal pain, different bodily discharge than you are used to and bleeding between your periods or after sex. If you have these symptoms, it does not mean you have cervical cancer, but it is important to contact your GP. Don’t wait for the population screening invitation!

You don’t always experience symptoms when you have cervical cancer. Therefore, it is important to take part in the screening, even if you do not have any symptoms.

During the cervical cancer population screening, you will be tested to see if you carry HPV. This is the virus that can cause cervical cancer.

The screening can be done in two ways:

• You can use a self-sampling device. This entails inserting a swab stick into your vagina. You rotate the stick inside your vagina for 20 seconds. You then send the device by post to the laboratory.
• Or you can go to your GP practice to get a smear test. With a small brush,the doctor’s assistant takes some cells from the cervix. These are sent to the laboratory.

You will receive a letter with the results within 4 weeks.

• You can ‘t prevent HPV
• 8 in 10 people will get HPV once in their lifetime.
• HPV is mainly transmitted during sexual contact. You don’t notice if you have HPV.
• Your body usually clears HPV within 2 years.
• Cervical cancer is almost always caused by long-term HPV infection.
• Cervical cancer is most common in people between the ages of 30 and 45 years.
• Cervical cancer is not hereditary.

Want to take part in the cervical cancer population screening? You can do so as soon as you receive the invitation.

Taking the self-test

You can ask to receive the self-sampling kit on the Bevolkingsonderzoek Nederland website using your DigiD. You can log in directly here.

Having the smear test done

Call your GP practice in advance to schedule an appointment. Would you rather go to another GP practice? You can. You can have the smear test done by a female doctor’s assistant. Bring the invitation letter with barcode stickers on it to the appointment. The barcode stickers are needed for the screening programme.

Not taking part or taking part later on

If you don’t want to take part or want to take part later on, for example because you are pregnant, please go to My Population Screening Netherlands.