Have you received an invitation for inspection?
In recent years, unfortunately, fewer and fewer women have booked an appointment for cervical cancer screening, and here in Vestfjörður it is now the case that only about 20% of women who receive an invitation attend the screening. Attendance is particularly bad among young women, who are the group most at risk.
It is easy to book an appointment at the health care and an examination costs only 500 ISK.
In Iceland, around 19 are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year and around 1,700 with cell changes that can develop into cervical cancer if nothing is done. Common symptoms of cervical cancer include unexplained bleeding, bleeding after intercourse, changes in discharge and pain in the lower abdomen. The earlier cervical cancer is diagnosed, the better the chances of recovery. Regular screening for cervical cancer can reduce mortality from the disease by 80–90%.
Women aged 23-29 are invited to be screened for cervical cancer every 3 years, and women aged 30-64 every five years. Invitations are received from the Cancer Screening Coordination Center, but screening is done at health centers all over the country.
Screening is intended for asymptomatic women and only those women who have received an invitation for examination can book an appointment. Other women are advised to seek medical attention if they are concerned about their health or have symptoms.
Regular screening is recommended even if you have received the HPV vaccination. HPV vaccination reduces the risk of cervical cancer but can never completely prevent it.
Screening at Ísafjörður
The screening at the health care center in Ísafjörður is carried out by midwife Erla Rún Sigurjónsdóttir and is usually available two days each month. You can book an appointment at "My pages" on Heilsuvera.is or contact the health care by phone 450-4500.
Screening at Patreksfjörður
The next cervical cancer screening will be offered on Patreksfjörður on Tuesday, March 8. Erla Rún Sigurjónsdóttir midwife takes care of examinations. If the weather is bad, bookings may be delayed by a day or two. You can book an appointment at "My pages" on Heilsuvera.is or contact the health care by phone 450-4500.
If this day is not suitable, it should be noted that midwife Erla Rún now usually goes every other Tuesday to Patreksfjörður and provides maternity care. On those days, pregnant women go through with bookings, but it is often possible to come to some women for cancer screening as well. However, it is not possible to book that time in advance. You can put yourself on the waiting list by calling the health center in Patreksfjörður.