Cervical cancer screening programme

Cervical cancer screening was introduced in the Czech Republic in 2008. Cervical screening consists of regular gynaecological preventive examinations, which women over 15 years of age should undergo once a year. The preventive gynaecological check-up is covered by public health insurance and aims to detect any pre-cancerous changes (precancers) or early stage cancers.

Preventive examination by a gynaecologist consists of an examination of the external genitalia, genital organs and cervix using so-called gynaecological examination mirrors and a colposcope, where a colposcopic examination of the cervix is carried out first, followed by cytology. Cytology is part of the gynaecological preventive examination, which aims to detect and catch early stages of cervical cancer. During the examination, the gynecologist swabs the cervix and then sends a sample of cells to an accredited cytology laboratory for evaluation. The result will then show whether there are changes in the cervix that could lead to cervical cancer. A vaginal ultrasound examination is then also an option for the doctor. In case of unclear or abnormal results, it is recommended to monitor the changes and perform a check-up at shorter intervals (3–6 months).

There are some cases that can escape this examination (endocervical tumours that are located outside the reach of the pap smear), and if these give rise to a cancer, regular gynaecological examination is able to detect it at an early stage: this disease is curable in more than 95% of cases. In fact, a long period of time (around three years) elapses between the discovery of the first precancerous changes and the malignant tumour.

In women aged 35, 45 and 55, if the cytological screening is negative, they are also tested for HPV in a pap smear, which is covered by health insurance in these years.  Women in other age categories can also have an HPV test, but this is not covered by public health insurance.