We provide trusted, professional and caring prevention services

Cervical screening for females from 25 – 65

We provide trusted, professional and caring prevention services

Cervical screening for females from 25 – 65

More than 1.900

cervical screenings in 2025

Early detection prevents cervical cancer.
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About cervical Screening

Why is cervical screening important?

Every year, many women get cervical cancer worldwide, and to this date women in Curaçao often die from this disease. In Curaçao, cervical cancer occurs most frequently in women between 25 and 65 years of age. That is why we invite these women for this screening.

The screening is used to test women for the risk of having cervical cancer. Early detection can prevent cervical cancer. Women who participate in the screening have a reduced risk of cervical cancer.


The screening is used to test women for the risk of having cervical cancer. Early detection can prevent cervical cancer. Women who participate in the screening have a reduced risk of cervical cancer.


What causes cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is caused by a long-lasting infection with a virus: the human papilloma virus (HPV).

HPV occurs frequently. Nearly everyone gets HPV at one point in time. The body is nearly always able to clean up the virus on its own. Sometimes, it does not succeed in this. For example, if the body’s resistance is low. This may be caused, among other things, by taking specific medicinal products and smoking.

If the body fails to clean up the virus, the cells in the cervix may change. Abnormal cells may change in a preliminary stage of cervical cancer.

This is not cancer and can be treated well. The treatment prevents it from developing into cancer.

The first stage sometimes develops into cervical cancer. This is a very slow process. It usually takes at least 15 years.

Smear test

Our skilled Nurse Practitioners will ask you a few questions. Next, you undress from the waist down.

The nurse uses a special instrument for the test: the speculum. The speculum is gently slided into the vagina. With a small brush, a sample of cells from the cervix is taken. The sample is placed into a pot, which is sent to the lab. The test is called a smear test and typically lasts about 10 minutes.

The smear test will be tested for HPV in the lab. If this virus is present, the lab technician will also establish immediately whether the smear test contains abnormal cells. The result of this cell analysis will determine whether further examination at the gynaecologist is necessary.

What you need to know before your smear test appointment, the result and thereafter

Please follow these instructions before coming to your appointment: 

  • Have your insurances card (SVB) and ID with you
  • If you are on your menstruation, please reschedule your appointment to when you are no longer bleeding. Bleeding could intervene with the test. 
  • Please abstain sexual intercourse for 72 hours before your cervical screening. Semen could interfere with your results.  

What can I expect from the result? 

About three weeks after the screening, you will receive notice from your general practitioner (Huisarts) with the results. If you don’t hear from your doctor, make sure to contact him/her yourself, because knowing your result is empowering yourself to take prevention into your own hands. All results are given via your general practitioner(GP). Your GP will contact you to share the results and if applicable any further steps. The result you can expect could be one of the following:

No HPV

You do not have an increased risk of cervical cancer. Further testing is not necessary. You may participate in the screening again in the next round of invitations. On average, 91 out of 100 women get this result.

HPV detected, but no abnormal cells were detected

You will receive another invitation for a smear test from Fundashon Prevenshon after one year. The test after a year is to ensure that no abnormal cells are present anymore. About 5 out of 100 women get this result.

HPV and abnormal cells detected

Your GP will refer you to a gynecologist. The gynecologist will decide whether treatment is necessary. In about 2 out of 100 women get this result

Unclear

The test was unclear meaning, due to unexpected factors a new smear test is required to provide you with accurate results. Fundashon Prevenshon will contact you after 6 weeks to plan a new appointment. About 2 out of 100 women, the smear test is inconclusive.

Did you go through our Screening program? We would love to hear your feedback.

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Frequently Asked Questions

We aim to be the beacon for prevention through screening, early diagnosis and early detection of disease in Curaçao.

Go to all FAQ’s

    • Women aged 25 through 65
    • Women above 65 years who have not had a Pap test for more than 10 years

    The FP nurse takes a cervical smear.
    The sample is analyzed in the laboratory for the presence of the HPV virus.

    The result depends on the type of HPV that is found:

    • No high‑risk HPV: no further testing is required.
    • High‑risk HPV: the smear is tested for abnormal cells or Pap (cytology).

    Either the smear is repeated after 6 weeks or after 12 months, or the client is referred for further examination by a gynecologist.

    • From 25 through 29 years = smear for the Pap test (cytology)
    • From 30 through 65 years = smear for the HPV virus

  • The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a virus that can be detected with a cervical smear. The HPV virus can cause cervical cancer. With screening, the risk of developing cervical cancer is very small.

    In 2016, the Foundation started cervical cancer screening using the HPV smear. If the result is positive, a Pap test (cytology) is determined from the same sample and follow‑up is required. The FP nurse will inform you about this.

  • There are approximately 160 known HPV viruses. 15 to 20 viruses are high risk and can cause cervical cancer. Types 16 and 18 cause approximately 70% of cervical cancers.

  • No, hereditary predisposition does not play a role.

  • Yes, through skin‑to‑skin contact with another person.

  • Yes. The virus can also cause cancer in other locations.

    • In women: anus, labia, and vagina
    • In men: oral cavity, penis, anus

  • Not much. The screening result shows whether you are positive and a carrier of the virus.

    You may sometimes see warts near the vulva, but not always.

  • 80% of sexually active men and women become infected at some point. The human immune system normally clears the virus within 1½ to 2 years. In approximately 4%, the virus persists and may eventually cause cervical cancer. The virus is present around the vagina and penis and is very contagious. During sex, the virus can also come into contact with hands or the mouth.

    • If the virus remains in the body and abnormal cells develop
    • Sex at a young age
    • Unprotected sex with multiple partners
    • Smoking weakens the immune system
    • Not participating in screening

  • Yes (the child may be infected during childbirth)

  • Yes.

  • No.

  • Natural process. The human immune system normally clears the virus within 1½ to 2 years. In approximately 4%, the virus persists and may eventually cause cervical cancer.

  • No.

  • Yes.

    • Bleeding from the vagina during penetrative sex
    • Contact bleeding when inserting a tampon
    • Bleeding from the vagina outside the menstrual period
    • Bleeding from the vagina after menopause (12 months after your last menstruation)
    • Mucus discharge from the vagina (brown or black‑red discharge)

  • No. Repeating the test depends on the result.

  • Yes.

  • 80% of sexually active men and women become infected at some point.

  • This cannot be prevented. People who smoke or use specific medications, for example due to HIV infection or (kidney) transplantation, have a higher chance of remaining infected longer.

    • If you are sexually active for 3 years.
    • At Famia Plania from 17 years.
    • At Fundashon from 24 years and 9 months.

  • Yes.

  • Yes.

  • Yes, if your partner is infectious.

  • Yes.

  • If you were treated for the STI, no.

    • If you or your partner has multiple partners;
    • Low immunity;
    • “Unsafe” sex.

  • Yes. In some cases, the virus can remain present for a very long time.

  • No.

  • Yes, but reinfection is always possible.

  • YES, request this via your general practitioner.

  • No.

  • No. We advise you to go to Salu pa Tur or Kas Chikitu.

Go to all FAQ’s

Your Health Matters. Book your cervical screening appointment today!

Do you have questions about your invitation, how the screening works, or other practical matters? Please contact our Caribbean Prevention Center at  0800-1811, Whatsapp us or fill out our contact form.

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