Population screening
Have you received an invitation to participate in a population screening, but are unsure what this entails? Please read on.
A population screening is a medical examination of people who do not have any symptoms. The aim of the screening is to detect disease, a genetic predisposition to disease or factors that increase the risk of disease. Participation in population screenings is voluntary and free of charge.
In the Netherlands, there are three population-based cancer screening programmes: breast cancer, cervical cancer and bowel cancer. You may be invited to participate. Find out what this means for you.
The various population surveys
Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is most common in women between the ages of 30 and 60. Do you fall into this age group? Then we invite you to take part in the population screening for cervical cancer.rnrnYou can take part in the screening in two ways:rnu003culu003ern tu003cliu003eWith a self-taking kitu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eWith a smearu003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e
Breast cancer
u003cp data-start=u00220u0022 data-end=u0022419u0022u003eAfter turning 50, you will automatically receive an invitation to the population screening for breast cancer in the Netherlands. Women between the ages of 50 and 75 normally receive this invitation every two years. During the screening, an X-ray of the breasts is taken, also known as a mammogram. A doctor then assesses whether the breast X-ray looks normal or whether further examination is needed.u003c/pu003ernu003cp data-start=u0022421u0022 data-end=u0022706u0022u003eThis population screening aims to detect breast cancer at an early stage, often before you notice anything yourself. Taking part in the screening is voluntary. It is important to know that it has both advantages and disadvantages. So you decide for yourself whether or not to participate.u003c/pu003ernu003cp data-start=u0022708u0022 data-end=u0022967u0022 data-is-last-node=u0022u0022u0022 data-is-only-node=u0022u0022u003ePlease note: do you notice any changes to your breasts yourself, such as a lump or a change in shape or skin? If so, do not wait for an invitation to the population screening, but contact your GP right away. Early detection can make all the difference.u003c/pu003e
Colon cancer
Colorectal cancer is a serious and common disease. Polyps and bowel cancer are more common in people over the age of 55. That is why everyone between the ages of 55 and 75 receives an invitation to participate in the screening programme every two years. The purpose of this screening is to detect bowel cancer as early as possible, even before someone has any symptoms. Participation is free and voluntary. You decide for yourself whether you want to participate.
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