Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women. In its early stages, it is curable in over 90 per cent of cases. For this reason, every woman should undergo regular screening: a smear test and an HR HPV test.
Until recently, conventional cytology formed the basis of cervical cancer screening in Poland. Women aged between 25 and 64 can have this test free of charge once every three years, or even once a year if they have risk factors.
From 25 March 2025, a new regulation issued by the Minister of Health will come into force, introducing an additional screening pathway based on modern diagnostic methods: the HR HPV test (which detects the presence of high-risk human papillomavirus DNA) and liquid-based cytology (LBC).
It is recommended that a smear test be carried out for the first time before becoming sexually active, but no later than the age of 25. If the results are normal, the test should be repeated every 3 years. If any abnormalities are detected or risk factors are present, more frequent check-ups are recommended – even as often as once a year.
The HR HPV test is carried out on women aged between 25 and 64. If the result is normal, the test should be repeated every 5 years. If HPV is detected, the diagnosis is supplemented by liquid-based cytology, which allows for a more accurate assessment of the cervical cells. As with cytology, more frequent monitoring of health is recommended if risk factors are present.
| Screening | Age | Frequency |
| Cytology | Aged 25 to 64 | Every 3 years (or more frequently if advised) |
| HPV test | Aged 25 to 64 | Every 5 years (or more frequently if advised) |
| LBC smear test | Aged 25 to 64 | Whenever an abnormal HPV result is found |
The collection of cervical samples is carried out in exactly the same way across all available management protocols; however, the method used to analyse the collected samples differs.
During an HPV test, the sample collected is placed in a special container containing transport medium, which preserves the viral DNA until it is analysed in the laboratory. There, a molecular test is carried out to detect the presence of high-risk HPV viruses responsible for the development of cervical cancer.
If the HPV test result is positive, there is no need to invite the patient back for a cervical smear test. The sample is stored and automatically subjected to LBC testing in the laboratory.
Liquid-based cytology involves placing the collected sample directly into a container containing a preservative solution. The cells are then mechanically spread in a thin layer across the surface of a microscope slide and examined under a microscope.
In a standard cytological examination, the cellular material is manually spread thinly onto a microscope slide and immediately fixed in a special solution, forming what is known as a cytological smear. The specimen prepared in this way is then stained, which allows the morphology of the cells to be assessed under a microscope.
The reliability of the results is an extremely important issue when it comes to cervical cancer screening; therefore, when choosing where to have the tests carried out, it is worth looking for centres with experience that undergo regular quality controls, as confirmed by certificates.
The INVICTA Group includes Medical Diagnostic Laboratories, which are certified by the Polish Centre for Accreditation (PCA) to carry out HR HPV tests. This means you can be confident in the results of your tests.
A smear sample for testing can be taken during your appointment with a gynaecologist at any INVICTA Clinic. If a liquid-based cytology test is required, we will use the sample taken previously, so there is no need to visit the Clinic again.
The INVICTA clinics in Gdańsk and Warsaw are fully accredited providers of the cervical cancer screening programme under the National Health Fund (NFZ). This means that patients aged between 25 and 64 can easily have all the necessary tests carried out on site, without any additional charges or unnecessary waiting times.
You will receive your results within 10 days of the sample being taken. You can view them on the medipoint.pl online platform. It’s quick, convenient and secure.
As many as 90% of the patients surveyed would recommend a consultation with our gynaecologists to their friends, giving a rating of 9 or 10 on a scale of 0 to 10. This is a tremendous honour, which motivates us to continually improve the services we provide for women.
All you need to do is fill in the contact form or call our helpline and choose a convenient appointment time. If you decide to get in touch via the form, one of our advisers will ring you back and provide you with all the necessary information.
You can have the test carried out at one of the six INVICTA clinics: in Gdańsk, Warsaw, Wrocław, Bydgoszcz, Słupsk or Gdynia.
During the appointment, the doctor will ask you to sit on the gynaecological chair and will then gently insert a speculum into your vagina to visualise the cervix. Next, using a special, soft brush, they will take a small sample of cells from the surface and the canal of the cervix. The whole procedure will take just a few to a dozen or so seconds.
The team specialising in cervical cancer screening at INVICTA Clinics comprises gynaecologists with up to 20 years’ active clinical experience. Their experience, personalised approach to patients and advanced diagnostic techniques ensure that the examination is quick, efficient and comfortable.
Read what our patients have to say about us
The INVICTA clinics in Gdańsk and Warsaw are implementing the government’s cervical cancer screening programme, which is funded by the National Health Fund (NFZ).
At INVICTA Clinics, we guarantee a consistently high standard of care, regardless of whether the appointment is a private consultation or covered by the National Health Fund (NFZ). The consultation takes place at the same location and lasts for the same amount of time as a private appointment. This allows the doctor to take a thorough medical history and collect a swab sample.
Yes, cervical smear tests and HPV tests are available as part of the cervical cancer screening programme funded by the National Health Fund (NFZ) for women aged 25–64. At INVICTA Clinics, the test can be carried out free of charge in Gdańsk and Warsaw.
No, a smear test shouldn’t hurt. Taking the cell sample takes just a few seconds and may cause slight discomfort or a feeling of pressure, but most women describe the test as painless.
The aim of the changes introduced is to enable women to undergo modern screening tests, which will contribute to more effective detection of the disease at a very early stage and better identification of women at risk of developing cancer.
A positive result in the high-risk (HR) HPV test means that a liquid-based cytology (LBC) test will automatically be carried out on the same sample. If abnormalities are detected on the cervix, the patient is referred for further diagnostic tests.
In conventional cytology, the cellular material is manually spread thinly onto a glass slide and immediately fixed in a special solution – creating what is known as a cytological smear. In liquid-based cytology, the sample is first placed in a container with a preservative solution, and the cells are then mechanically spread in a thin layer onto the surface of a microscope slide.
The HR HPV test, when combined with liquid-based cytology (LBC), offers higher sensitivity and specificity than conventional cytology.
No, the HPV vaccine does not mean you can stop having regular smear tests. Although the vaccine significantly reduces the risk of infection, it does not protect against all types of the virus and does not completely eliminate the risk of developing cervical cancer.
It is not recommended to have a smear test or an HPV test whilst you are on your period. The presence of blood may make it difficult to assess the sample and affect the reliability of the results. The best time to have these tests is a few days after your period has ended, ideally between the 10th and 20th day of your cycle.
For 24 hours prior to the collection of the test sample, you should avoid intensive hygiene procedures in the genital area using antiseptics, so as not to wash away the bacterial flora (e.g. during douching) and refrain from sexual intercourse.
Women may have a swab taken on any day of their cycle except during menstruation.
