What is cervical screening?

If you are between the ages of 25 and 61, cervical screening is one of the safest ways to prevent cervical cancer. It is intended for women who do not have symptoms, precisely to detect early cellular changes in the cervix, before they develop.

Precancerous lesions can be treated when discovered early. Therefore, screening is not a check-up done because of a problem, but a protective measure for your health.

Screening is performed by the Papanicolaou test, also known as the cytology test or Pap test. It is used for the early detection of cellular changes in the cervix. The test is safe, standardized and free for all eligible women and is usually performed every 3 years.

The process includes:

  • informing and counseling women;

  • identification of eligible persons;

  • obtaining informed consent;

  • Pap smear collection;

  • sample analysis in the cytology laboratory;

  • communicating and explaining results;

  • referral, when necessary, for further investigation or treatment;

  • monitoring of detected cases.

The quality of the service is monitored at all stages, from sample collection to communication of results and access to treatment.

This service is coordinated by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Moldova and provided through public medical and sanitary institutions, according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization.

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