Mammography and cytology on the National Health Fund – changes in prevention

Health prevention is a key element of maintaining well-being and preventing disease.

In Poland, the National Health Fund plays an important role in providing access to free screening tests, such as mammography and cytology, which are crucial in detecting breast and cervical cancer. In recent years, there have been significant changes in the availability and principles of these tests, which has an impact on women’s health prevention in Poland.

More women can benefit from free tests

One of the key changes that has taken place in recent years is the increased availability of free mammography and cytology tests. The National Health Fund has expanded the group of women eligible for such tests, which means that more patients can benefit from these extremely important tests. Previously, screening tests were available for specific age groups, but now many younger women also have the opportunity to benefit from them, which is important due to the need to detect potential disease lesions early.

Why is the prevention of breast and cervical cancer so important?

Prevention of breast and cervical cancer is extremely important for several reasons. First, both of these forms of cancer are among the most common cancers in women. Breast cancer is even the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women. Therefore, regular mammography examinations are extremely important because they enable early detection of possible cancer lesions, which increases the chances of effective treatment.

Cervical cancer, in turn, is highly preventable and can be largely avoided thanks to regular cytological tests, i.e. the so-called cytology. This test detects pre-cancerous lesions that can be treated before cancer develops. Therefore, regular check-ups are crucial, especially in women of childbearing age.

Breast cancer and cervical cancer – risk factors

It is also worth understanding what the risk factors are for developing breast and cervical cancer. In the case of breast cancer, age is an important risk factor, which is why mammography examinations are recommended especially for women over 50. However, it cannot be completely ruled out in younger women, so it is worth consciously taking care of prevention throughout life.

Cervical cancer is often associated with HPV (Human Papillomavirus) infection, emphasizing the importance of HPV vaccination in young girls. In addition, the number of sexual partners and smoking also increase the risk of cervical cancer.

Your suggestions

To avoid the risk of breast and cervical cancer, it is worth following a few simple recommendations. First, regularly participate in screening tests available under the National Health Fund. If you are at risk, consult your doctor to determine the optimal frequency of testing. In addition, a healthy lifestyle, regular physical activity, and a healthy diet can also significantly reduce the risk of developing these types of cancer.

Recommended articles

If you are interested in reading more about preventive health care and fighting cancer, we recommend reading the following articles:

• Breast cancer – what are the symptoms and treatment methods?
• Cytology – why is it worth getting tested regularly?
• The impact of lifestyle on health – how to take care of yourself every day?

Health prevention, especially in the context of breast and cervical cancer, is a key element of taking care of your health. Thanks to access to free screening tests provided by the National Health Fund and a conscious approach to prevention, we can increase the chances of early detection and effective treatment of these dangerous diseases.