Women aged between 30 and 64 will soon be able to have an HPV (Human papillomavirus) test every five years as part of their cervical screening, instead of a traditional smear every three years, said Federal Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke.
Until now, women between 25 and 64 were invited every three years for a free cytological examination (commonly known as the "smear test") to screen for cervical cancer. However, experts have long advocated replacing that examination for women over 30 with an HPV test, which detects the human papillomavirus that causes cervical cancer.
Now, health ministers have reached an agreement on this, announced Vandenbroucke. Women aged between 30 and 64 will be invited for an HPV test every five years. If the test is positive, another classical smear test will follow. The federal government provides €40 million for this.
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Vandenbroucke points out that it is now up to the regions to ensure that more women are effectively screened, as preventive healthcare is a regional competence (just like Covid-19 testing is).
In Flanders, almost 40% of women never have a smear test, even after an invitation. In Brussels and Wallonia, that figure exceeds 50%. From 2025, the regions may also organise self-screening tests targeting more vulnerable young people, Vandenbroucke stressed.
