Sweden has had organized screening programs against cervical cancer, with regular gynecological cell test checks, since the 1960s, which has contributed to a sharp reduction in cancer cases. But in the last five years the number has increased and in parts of the country cervical cancer is as common as before the screening was introduced - over 50 years ago.

As a result of the corona virus, several regions have now chosen to pause their cell sampling.

- There are two reasons. One is that when you conduct screening, you invite a large number of women to the health care system, which can lead to the risk of spreading infection. The second is that you can end up in a situation where the staff working with screening can be forced to prioritize care for patients with covid-19, says Mattias Fredricson, head of unit responsible for national guidelines and screening at the National Board of Health.

According to him, the authority has been contacted by about ten regions that are requesting assistance.

- We feel that the regions really take responsibility during this difficult situation. That is why they have turned to us to hear how to prioritize in a very difficult situation. We are now working together to find a good solution.

One solution that is being discussed is to offer more women home tests, so that they can test themselves for cell changes without visiting health care. But no decisions have yet been made.

- I can't say when we will be finished. Changes will be required in our regulations but we will do so as soon as possible, says Mattias Fredricson.

Women between the ages of 23 and 50 are offered sampling every three years, and every five years thereafter. Each year, over 50,000 Swedish women are affected by cell changes in the genital area, caused by human papillomavirus, HPV. 15,000 have such serious changes that they need to be treated, 550 women suffer from cervical cancer and 150 do not survive the disease.

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