Updates

Until now, the Belgian population aged between 25 and 65 has had access to cervical cancer screening through a Pap smear test every three years. From January 2025, women aged 25 to 29 will continue to have a Pap smear test every three years, while for women aged 30 to 64, the primary screening method will be a human papillomavirus (HPV) test every five years. This test detects HPV through a cervical smear before the presence of lesions become detectable by cytology. The screening schedule is uniform across Belgium, but its organization varies by federated entities. In the Flemish community, screening is systematically offered free of charge through an organized program. In other communities, screening is reimbursed but is not yet systematic, as no organized screening program is in place.