January 22 marks the beginning of Cervical Cancer Awareness Week. It is the world's third cancer in women in terms of incidence and fourth in terms of mortality. The disease can be prevented or detected at an early stage by screening. Regular cervical cytology is essential.
Cervical Cancer Awareness Week. Prevention and research are key
Published Jan. 19, 2024 13:38
Cervical cancer prevention program
For many years now, the National Health Service has been running a prevention program aimed at early detection of cervical cancer. Women between the ages of 25 and 64 can benefit from it.
No referral is needed for such prophylactic cytology. It is enough to go to the nearest gynecological office, working under the National Health Fund. There are about 120 of them in the Świętokrzyskie voivodeship. The examination is free for patients, financed by the National Health Fund.
Preventive cytological examination under this project is available to women every three years. However, ladies burdened with risk factors (such as HIV infection, taking immunosuppressive drugs, infection with HPV - a high-risk type) are entitled to perform it every year.
A list of gynecological clinics can be found at https://gsl.nfz.gov.pl/GSL/GSL/PrzychodnieSpecjalistyczne
It is also worth recalling that cytology can be done in a mobile laboratory, or cytobus (or cytomammobus).
Important for women not covered by the prevention program
The NFZ also encourages women who have not yet turned 25 and those who are older than 64 to also have a cytology. They will do it in any gynecology office that has a contract with the NFZ, and the only condition is that they receive a referral from a gynecologist, which in practice translates into performing this examination during a single visit. This examination is also financed by the National Health Fund.
HPV vaccination
Cytological screening is one direction of cancer prevention. The other is HPV vaccination. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for cervical cancer and vaginal and vulvar cancer in women, penile cancer in men, anal cancer and cancers of the head and neck area in both sexes. It is transmitted through sexual contact. Therefore, vaccination is most effective before a child's first contact with the virus. By vaccinating teenagers and adolescents, we can prevent future cancerous conditions. Receiving the vaccine definitely reduces the risk of cervical cancer.
The universal free HPV vaccination program targets girls and boys aged 12 and 13. They are administered in two doses. The interval between these doses is 6 to 12 months.
The vaccine is also available for younger children between the ages of 9 and 11 and those older between 14 and 17. In this case, you need to go with your child to the doctor, who will issue an e-prescription. After it is filled at the pharmacy, you must return to the primary care clinic, where your child will be vaccinated free of charge.
Source: press release | Świętokrzyski Oddział Wojewódzki NFZ
