Cervical cancer screening
All women of any age can develop cervical cancer. In Estonia, both the incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer are among the highest in Europe.
Kristel Kruustük reminds her loved ones when it is their year for a screening.
Participate in cervical cancer screening if it is your year!
In 2026, all women born in
1961, 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991 and 1996
are invited to cervical cancer screening regardless of their insucance.
You can see your invitation in Health Portal under Appointments and Referrals.
Participate in cervical cancer screening if it is your year!
In 2026, all women born in
1961, 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991 and 1996
are invited to cervical cancer screening regardless of their insucance.
You can see your invitation in Health Portal under Appointments and Referrals.
Cervical cancer is not hereditary. It is mostly caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmitted mainly by skin and mucous membrane contact, including sexually.
The source of infection is another person infected with the papillomavirus. Human papillomavirus infection may cause changes in cells that may develop into precancerous conditions and cervical cancer.
Cell changes develop over a longer period of time. The process usually takes time and may take up to 10–25 years. Participating in the screening helps to detect possible cell changes and precancerous conditions in time, that these can be treated so actual cancer will not develop.
Cervical cancer is not hereditary. It is mostly caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmitted mainly by skin and mucous membrane contact, including sexually.
The source of infection is another person infected with the papillomavirus. Human papillomavirus infection may cause changes in cells that may develop into precancerous conditions and cervical cancer.
Cell changes develop over a longer period of time. The process usually takes time and may take up to 10–25 years. Participating in the screening helps to detect possible cell changes and precancerous conditions in time, that these can be treated so actual cancer will not develop.
Why and how to participate in screening?
Cervical cancer screening looks for precancerous conditions, which means that screening can help prevent cancer.
Free and easily accessible: In Estonia, cervical cancer screening is free of charge for the target group, including women without health insurance, and is carried out in various healthcare institutions throughout the country. Free HPV tests can also be ordered online or requested at a pharmacy(Opens in new tab).
By participating in screening, you show that you care about your health.
There are several ways to participate in the screening program. You can book an appointment with a gynecologist.
You can also call a healthcare facility that suits you. Say that you would like to make an appointment for a screening.
You can also ask for a free HPV home test at pharmacies.
There are several ways to participate in the screening program. You can book an appointment with a gynecologist.
You can also call a healthcare facility that suits you. Say that you would like to make an appointment for a screening.
You can also ask for a free HPV home test at pharmacies.
HPV vaccination
Vaccination protects you against the most dangerous types of HPV, which can cause genital warts and cancer in the genital area. Therefore, HPV vaccination is recommended for all young people from the age of 9.
Starting February 1, 2024, girls and boys aged 12–18 in Estonia will be vaccinated free of charge under the national immunization program. It is recommended to start vaccination as soon as possible, i.e., at age 12.
Vaccination protects you against the most dangerous types of HPV, which can cause genital warts and cancer in the genital area. Therefore, HPV vaccination is recommended for all young people from the age of 9.
Starting February 1, 2024, girls and boys aged 12–18 in Estonia will be vaccinated free of charge under the national immunization program. It is recommended to start vaccination as soon as possible, i.e., at age 12.
Vaccination protects you against the most dangerous types of HPV, which can cause genital warts and cancer in the genital area. Therefore, HPV vaccination is recommended for all young people from the age of 9.
Starting February 1, 2024, girls and boys aged 12–18 in Estonia will be vaccinated free of charge under the national immunization program. It is recommended to start vaccination as soon as possible, i.e., at age 12.
Vaccination protects you against the most dangerous types of HPV, which can cause genital warts and cancer in the genital area. Therefore, HPV vaccination is recommended for all young people from the age of 9.
Starting February 1, 2024, girls and boys aged 12–18 in Estonia will be vaccinated free of charge under the national immunization program. It is recommended to start vaccination as soon as possible, i.e., at age 12.
Invitation to screening
The Cancer Screening Registry sends a personal invitation to screening to all women in the target group in a given year.
All women whose year of birth falls within the target group for screening and whose place of residence is Estonia at the time of issuing the screening invitation letter are welcome to participate in the screening.
Screening invitations are sent electronically using the national mailbox service. E-invitations are sent to people in the screening target group whose national mailbox e-mail is directed to a personal e-mail address or listed in the population register. This can be checked on the Health Portal settings page.
If there is no information about e-mail forwarding in the cancer screening registry, a paper invitation will be sent to the address listed in the population registry. If the information there is not accurate, the invitation may not reach the recipient. Therefore, it is important to check the accuracy of your contact information, which can be done on the Health Portal settings page.
The Cancer Screening Registry sends a personal invitation to screening to all women in the target group in a given year.
All women whose year of birth falls within the target group for screening and whose place of residence is Estonia at the time of issuing the screening invitation letter are welcome to participate in the screening.
Screening invitations are sent electronically using the national mailbox service. E-invitations are sent to people in the screening target group whose national mailbox e-mail is directed to a personal e-mail address or listed in the population register. This can be checked on the Health Portal settings page.
If there is no information about e-mail forwarding in the cancer screening registry, a paper invitation will be sent to the address listed in the population registry. If the information there is not accurate, the invitation may not reach the recipient. Therefore, it is important to check the accuracy of your contact information, which can be done on the Health Portal settings page.
You can participate in screening without an invitation! If you belong to the target group for screening this year, you can contact the medical institution of your choice and say that you would like to participate in screening.
Women belonging to the target group will find the invitation letter under "Receptions and invitation letters" from the beginning of the screening year. The invitation letter for screening is valid until the end of the calendar year. You can participate in screening at a time that suits you throughout the calendar year.
When registering for screening, the woman's year of birth will be checked. Be sure to bring identification with you when you go for the screening.
Women who have been diagnosed with cervical or uterine cancer in the last five years will not receive an invitation to participate in cervical cancer screening. This information is obtained from the cancer registry and the health information system.
How does the screening procedure work?
The presence of high-risk virus strains is checked with an HPV test.
Regular human papillomavirus (HPV) testing is important because infection with the virus can cause changes in cells over a long period of time.
These changes can develop into precancerous conditions, which usually do not cause any symptoms in women.
The HPV test can be done either at the doctor's office or at home.
Home HPV tests and HPV samples taken by healthcare professionals are equally accurate and reliable.
Women who have chosen to use the home test are asked to follow the instructions when taking the sample and to post the sample within five days of taking it. Sending the sample to the laboratory is free of charge.
Do not use the home test during pregnancy or within three months of pregnancy!
Participating in a study at a healthcare facility is similar to a routine gynecological examination.
During the examination, a sample is taken from the mucous membrane of the cervix and the canal using a small brush, and the sample is then examined in a laboratory. The procedure is painless.
The sample cannot be taken during menstruation. The most suitable time for taking the sample is between the 10th and 20th day of the menstrual cycle.
You can also have an HPV test during pregnancy at your midwife or gynecologist, but inform your doctor of your condition in advance.
Reporting the results of the study
In the absence of dangerous virus strains, the woman will not be notified of her test results.
The test results can be viewed under "Appointments and Referrals."
If the test result is "negative," the woman will be expected to return for screening in five years. However, if her health condition changes, she should definitely consult a doctor.
If the test result is "positive," additional tests are required. The presence of the virus does not mean a diagnosis of cancer or precancerous changes! Additional tests can be obtained from healthcare institutions, a list of which can be found on the Health Insurance Fund website.
In the absence of dangerous virus strains, the woman will not be notified of her test results.
The test results can be viewed under "Appointments and Referrals."
If the test result is "negative," the woman will be expected to return for screening in five years. However, if her health condition changes, she should definitely consult a doctor.
If the test result is "positive," additional tests are required. The presence of the virus does not mean a diagnosis of cancer or precancerous changes! Additional tests can be obtained from healthcare institutions, a list of which can be found on the Health Insurance Fund website.
In the absence of dangerous virus strains, the woman will not be notified of her test results.
The test results can be viewed under "Appointments and Referrals."
If the test result is "negative," the woman will be expected to return for screening in five years. However, if her health condition changes, she should definitely consult a doctor.
If the test result is "positive," additional tests are required. The presence of the virus does not mean a diagnosis of cancer or precancerous changes! Additional tests can be obtained from healthcare institutions, a list of which can be found on the Health Insurance Fund website.
In the absence of dangerous virus strains, the woman will not be notified of her test results.
The test results can be viewed under "Appointments and Referrals."
If the test result is "negative," the woman will be expected to return for screening in five years. However, if her health condition changes, she should definitely consult a doctor.
If the test result is "positive," additional tests are required. The presence of the virus does not mean a diagnosis of cancer or precancerous changes! Additional tests can be obtained from healthcare institutions, a list of which can be found on the Health Insurance Fund website.