Women’s health, Center health center | Free pap smear: – The offer applies to women in Fredrikstad

In collaboration with the Sanitetsforeningen in Fredrikstad, the midwives in the city have cleared their calendars to take free cervical tests.

– We want women to be reminded to take the pap smear, which is important for women’s health, says Mina Olava Gulbrandsen, who is a midwife.

Together with Ulrika Karlberg, who is also a midwife, they meet us at the Sentrum health center – the same place where the free pap smear will be taken on 7 May.

– The offer applies to all women in Fredrikstad municipality between the ages of 25 and 69, says Karlberg.

The exact age range is not accidental:

All women are recommended to have a cervical smear from the age of 25.

From women of this age and up to 69, they are included in the Norwegian Cancer Society’s screening programmewhere everyone is offered to be examined for serious cell changes or early cervical cancer, before symptoms have appeared.

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So many people get this type of cancer

According to the Norwegian Cancer Registry, approximately 300 women in Norway develop cervical cancer each year. Just under 100 women die from the disease.

The type of cancer is caused by infection with the HPV virus. In many cases, the disease is detected early, and then the prognosis is good.

The problems arise when the samples are not taken and you may not have symptoms. That is why all women in Norway are included in the screening program of the Cancer Society.

A cervical sample is taken during an abdominal examination. A small brush is guided up to the cervix to collect cells – and the examination takes a couple of minutes.

The sample is used to check whether you have the HPV virus and cell changes. By taking regular cervical tests, cell changes can be detected and treated and the risk of getting cervical cancer is reduced.

– We have approximately 70 places, and set aside 20 minutes for each woman, says Karlberg.

You must call to make an appointment.

– There is no drop-in, so it is important that you call in advance.

Immigrant women drop the test

Sentrum health center has taken inspiration from municipalities or hospitals, and is a measure to prevent cervical cancer – and at the same time get more focus on women’s health.

– This is important. We know that there are many who do not, and it can be for various reasons. That some are afraid, that they think it’s too expensive or don’t want to go to a male doctor, says Karlberg.

At the Sentrum health center on 7 May, there will only be female midwives.

There can be many reasons why women do not take the test, think Karlberg and Gulbrandsen.

Out in the waiting rooms there are brochures informing about the day, brochures in several different languages.

– We think that a larger proportion of women with an immigrant background do not take this test. But maybe we are wrong, says Karlberg.

It doesn’t seem like she does.

A study from 2020 shows that women who were born abroad and among children of two who have immigrated to Norway, there are many who do not take the test. In fact, as many as 52 percent of them.

Recently was Kamzy Gunaratnam (Ap) in Fredrikstad visiting Siri Martinsen. This topic was also the topic of conversation between them.

With prevention, screening and treatment of precursors to cancer, the plan is for Norway to eradicate cervical cancer by 2039.

Both Gunaratnam and Martinsen want more focus on women with immigrant backgrounds.

– Work on prevention, screening and follow-up must be intensified. If not, we are in danger of failing to eradicate cervical cancer among women with an immigrant background.

They emphasize that it is important that everyone gets the opportunity – and also that there are other groups that it is important to work towards.

– This is a very important test. If it goes too far, it can be critical, says Karlberg.

Reduces risk significantly

Karlberg says that if you discover cervical cancer, and it has gone too far, there may be spread.

And cervical cancer is a cancer without the major symptoms.

– What about those under 25?

– The incidence is low, but it is not equal to zero, says Karlberg.

All young people are recommended to take the HPV vaccine.

– It is the HPV virus that causes 99 percent of all cervical cancers. If everyone takes the vaccine before they are sexually active, we hope to lower the percentage who get cervical cancer.

Girls have received the offer since 2009/2010 (FHI), and from autumn 2018 boys have also received the same offer, so that both boys and girls can protect themselves against cancer caused by HPV, writes the Cancer Association.

But those who are adults today have not received the vaccine, emphasizes Karlberg; and then it is important to take a pap smear.

– Taking a cervical smear does not provide a guarantee, but significantly reduces the risk.