Prevention Wednesday - Today we are devoting special attention to the prevention of cervical cancer. We suggest where to get a free cytology under the National Health Fund programme and present an interactive report which shows that cervical cancer prevention increases patients' chances of living longer.
This test saves lives
Cervical cancer is one of the most 'preventable' malignancies in women. Regular cytological examinations enable early detection of cancerous and pre-cancerous lesions, and effective treatments for cervical cancer at an early stage enable complete cure. Unfortunately, there are still many women who die. The main reason is that the disease is detected too late.
Let's get tested prophylactically
- It is the absence of symptoms for a long period of time that is the main cause of cervical cancer being detected too late and thus of a poor prognosis. I emphasise that cervical cancer detected at an early stage is curable with a very high success rate, which is why the examination should be carried out regularly. It only takes a few minutes and can save our lives - points out in its latest Patient's Guide: How to protect yourself from cervical cancer? Prof. Grażyna Iwanowicz-Palus, midwife, specialist in obstetric and family nursing and public health.
Who is implementing the programme and where?
W cervical cancer prevention programme new age categories have been introduced so that even more women can benefit from screening. Ladies aged 25-64 are invited to undergo free cytological screening. They can be performed at any obstetric-gynaecological clinic that has a contract with the NFZ and at selected POZ clinics that have signed a contract for POZ midwife services.
NFZ data on cervical cancer
Each year, almost 3,000 Polish women are diagnosed with cervical cancer. The National Health Fund, in cooperation with the National Cancer Institute and the e-Health Centre, has prepared a cervical cancer monitoring report.
The NHF data leaves no illusions: cervical cancer prevention increases patients' chances of living longer! Report has been prepared in the form of interactive visualisations that offer the possibility of filtering the data.
You are also welcome to visit the prevention and health promotion desks at the provincial branches of the NFZat which client advisers:
- provide information on the prevention programmes implemented by the Fund
- advise on how to apply for and take part in these programmes
- provide information on the principles of healthy eating and the possibility of using the free diet portal DietNFZ.