We invite all women aged 25-65 residing in Helsinki to cervical cancer screening every five years. If you belong to the target group for screening, you will receive an invitation by post at your home address. The letter will state the time and place of your appointment. The screening is free of charge and voluntary.
The screening tests are carried out by the HUS Diagnostic Center.
Why should I participate in the screening?
The purpose of cervical cancer screening is to detect potential pre-cancerous changes. When pre-cancerous changes are detected at an early stage, they can be treated to prevent them from developing into cancer.
How is the screening performed?
For women aged 30 or above, cervical cancer screening is performed with an HPV test. For women under 30, the screening is performed with a Pap smear test.
Read more: What can the screening detect? (HUS)(Link leads to external service)
At the screening appointment, a nurse will use a soft brush to take a small sample of cells from your cervix. If you have had a hysterectomy, the sample will be taken from your vagina.
Read more: What happens at the screening appointment? (HUS)(Link leads to external service)
Getting the results
You will receive the results within about two months, either by post to your home address or via OmaPosti. The results will not be transferred to MyKanta or the Maisa portal.
Read more: How and when do I get the results? (HUS)(Link leads to external service)
What if there are abnormal findings?
In the case of abnormal findings, you will receive a letter with instructions on further examinations. In most cases, further examinations mean a colposcopy, which is an examination of the cervix. You will receive a separate invitation to further examinations.
In the case of slight cell changes, it is sufficient to have a control sample taken within two years. You will receive a personal invitation to have the control sample taken.
Read more: When are further examinations needed and what are they? (HUS)(Link leads to external service)
How do I cancel or reschedule my screening appointment?
If the appointment time stated in the invitation letter does not suit you, you can reschedule the appointment online or call the customer service of HUS laboratories.
You can also cancel the appointment if you do not want to participate in the screening at all.
Reschedule or cancel your screening appointment online(Link leads to external service)
Contact details for the customer service of HUS laboratories(Link leads to external service)
Read more: How do I book an appointment for screening? (HUS)(Link leads to external service)
Did you not receive an invitation?
If you have obtained an order of non-disclosure for personal safety reasons, you will not get an invitation to screening. In that case, you need to book a screening appointment during the year your age group is invited for screening.
Check whether you are in the age group invited for screening (HUS)(Link leads to external service)
In some cases, you may not receive the invitation if you have moved and your details in the Population Information System have not yet been updated. Invitations are sent throughout the year. If you have not received an invitation by the end of the year in which your age group is invited for screening, please book a screening appointment yourself.