Since the mid-1960s, when sampling started in Sweden, the number of cases of cervical cancer has more than halved.
But a couple of years ago, the number of cases increased, which was partly due to laboratories missing cell changes.
This problem has been addressed and one of the reasons why Västerbotten is among the last to introduce HPV screening is that the IT support business needs to be delayed.
- There have been much sharper recommendations for how the lab should ensure the quality of the work.
It is underway in all laboratories so it is getting much better, says Lena Silfverdal, chief physician and process manager for cervical cancer prevention at RCC Norr.
Västerbotten second to last
Since March 1, Västerbotten, as the penultimate region, has been part of the latest national care program for cervical cancer prevention.
The new method of screening is based on analyzing cell samples for human papillomavirus (HPV), for women aged 30 and up, instead of only being examined under a microscope to detect any cell changes.
- HPV analysis is a more sensitive test than microscopic examination of the cell sample.
Therefore, more women with pre-stages of cervical cancer will be detected and treated, and fewer will need to fall ill, says Lena Silfverdal.
Every fifth woman does not test herself
Although the HPV analysis is more accurate, perhaps the biggest challenge is to get more women to go for gynecological cell sampling - just over one in five women does not get tested.
In the clip above, you hear how the Region should get more people to take samples to have a chance to eradicate the form of cancer.