This is one of three cancer population screenings in the Netherlands. These screenings are offered by the government. Participation is free and voluntary. In addition to cervical cancer population screening, there is also screening for breast cancer and colon cancer. On this website, we inform you about the cervical cancer population screening programme.

During the cervical cancer population screening, you will be tested to see if you carry HPV (Human Papillomavirus). This is the virus that can cause cervical cancer. If HPV is found, you will also be tested for abnormal cells in your cervix. This is because HPV can change the cells in your cervix.
Abnormal cells can turn into precancerous stages of cervical cancer. Treating a precancerous stages can prevent cervical cancer from developing.

You can take part in the population screening in two ways:

With a self-test. This entails inserting a swab stick into your vagina. You rotate the swab stick inside your vagina for 20 seconds. Then send this to the laboratory in the return envelope.

With a smear test. You make an appointment with the GP practice. The GP or doctor’s assistant does a smear test. The tissue taken is sent to the laboratory by the GP.

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

Every woman in the Netherlands can take part in the cervical cancer population screening free of charge from the age of 30. You will get the first invitation around your 30th birthday. If you decide to take part then you can use the self-test at home or make an appointment with your GP for a smear test.

After that, you will get an invitation when you turn 35, 40, 50 and 60. You may also get an invitation when you are 45, 55 or 65. This is when you did not take part last time or were told that Human Papillomavirus (HPV) was found the last time you took part.

In women under 30, the cons of population screening often outweigh the pros, as these women are more likely to have HPV and mildly abnormal cells. But in most cases, the body clears this HPV and the abnormal cells on its own within two years. If we were to invite these younger women, too large a group of women would be treated wrongly or worry unnecessarily. Therefore, women in the Netherlands only receive an invitation from the age of 30.

Participation in the cervical cancer population screening is free. You decide whether to participate and in what way.

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.