In future, women aged 23 to 49 will be called for Pap smears at slightly longer intervals. The reason is that there are now more accurate analysis methods and that knowledge about HPV has generally improved.
All regions offer cervical cancer screening for women aged 23 to 70, to detect changes in cells early. During the examination, you are offered tests for human papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause changes in cells. As of Monday, September 30, women aged 23 to 49 will be called every five years, instead of every three years.
The reason for the spread of tests is that HPV analysis has a greater impact in cancer prevention than cytology analysis. An HPV test shows the risk of cell changes and cancer, while a cell sample only becomes abnormal when a woman has already had cell changes. This means that women with normal HPV testing have a very small risk of cell changes, while women with certain types of HPV infections will be screened more frequently and screened more frequently in the future, says Leila Falknas, M.D., chief medical officer at Women's clinic in Jönköping.
New analysis methods
The change is based on new guidance from the National Board of Health and Social Care and a new national care programme. The background is that there has been more research on HPV and knowledge is generally higher within the health care system and among the population. The new guidelines required new technology for analytics and the adaptation of IT systems to new analysis methods. In 2018, the interval for women aged 50 to 64 changed to being called every seven years, instead of every five years.
– Granted, many women between the ages of 23 and 49 will feel some concern that the time between sampling is becoming less frequent, but if you have a normal HPV test, there's no need to worry. With new testing methods for HPV, we have a safer way to find out if there's a risk of cervical cancer, and it's better than a Pap test, says Leila Falknas.
About screening using gynecological Pap smears
- All women aged 23 to 64 will continue to receive recalls for gynecological smear tests. The final test is done between the ages of 64 and 70, depending on when the last test was taken. Women who have not had a Pap smear by age 64 receive an annual call until they reach age 70. After that, no more invitations will come. The reason is that there is a very small risk of developing cancer if a person undergoes gynecological smear tests early in life and gets normal smear results.
- Calls are based on female Social Security numbers. This means that transgender men who have retained their uterus and obtained a new Social Security number do not automatically receive an invitation to have a Pap smear. Transgender people with a cervix are advised to contact their gynecologist's office, which is then responsible for sending out invitations regularly and at appropriate intervals.
About gynecological Pap smears – 1177.se
Sending samples to detect human papillomavirus and cell changes in the cervix – 1177.se
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