New services in the cervical cancer prevention program
On the occasion of the European Week for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer at the end of January, health insurance funds specialists remind women of the importance of preventing the disease. It is worth noting that since January 2022, this prevention program has been supplemented by new services paid for by the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund (CHIF): human papillomavirus (HPV) and liquid-based cervical cytology. New services from the CHIF will require about 3 million euros.
An innovation in the prevention of cervical cancer is that some women between the ages of 35 and 59 (inclusive) will be tested for HPV every 5 years. If the HPV result is positive, a cervical screening (a smear test) will be performed.
Experts say HPV infection is the biggest risk factor for cervical cancer. It is possible to find out if a woman is a carrier of this virus by carrying out liquid-based cervical cytology. Research has shown that this method can detect more cancers in the cervix.
For the other part of women - from 25 to 34 years old (inclusive) - as before, a cytological smear test will be performed every three years to detect precancerous lesions.
Once the results have been obtained and the lesions identified, colposcopy may be continued, followed by a biopsy to objectively confirm or rule out the diagnosis of the disease.
Therefore, as before, all women between the ages of 25 and 59 (inclusive) will continue to be able to see a family doctor and be screened under the cervical cancer prevention program. The age limits are set because it is at this age that women are most at risk.
Cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in women worldwide, according to experts. Therefore, regular preventive screening is necessary to detect precancerous lesions early and to protect women from advanced cervical cancer. Especially, as since early-stage cervical cancer usually does not cause any symptoms.
As in many developed countries, in Lithuania women are regularly screened for the disease, so it is possible to treat early lesions in the cells of the cervix without waiting for them to progress to cancer. Preventing the disease in a timely manner not only avoids higher treatment costs, but also preserves a woman's health and ability to work.
In Lithuania, the cervical cancer prevention program has been implemented since 2004. Funding for this program comes from the CHIF. Recognizing the importance of prevention, more and more funds have been allocated each year. In 2021, 2.7 million euros was allocated from the CHIF budget, i.e. 8 percent more than in 2020 (2.5 million euros) and as much as 29% more than in 2019 (2.1 million euros).
Currently, free cancer screening programs are available in Lithuania - prostate, colon cancer, cervical and breast cancer. More information about free cancer prevention programs can be found here.
These prevention programs are for people of a certain age. However, if you feel unwell but do not fall into the prescribed age group, consult your GP. Your GP will carry out the necessary tests and, if necessary, issue a referral for a specialist consultation.
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Your questions are welcome by email [email protected] or phone: local (8 5) 232 2222, international +370 5 232 222
Last updated: 28-03-2022
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