HCA introduces new guidelines, screening test for cervical cancer prevention |23 July 2025

HCA introduces new guidelines, screening test for cervical cancer prevention

The Health Care Agency of the Ministry of Health is introducing new national guidelines and an upgraded screening method for cervical cancer prevention in Seychelles.

The revised cervical cancer screening protocol now includes HPV/DNA testing alongside the newly introduced Liquid-Based Cytology in the Pap smear screening programme. This advanced method increases the accuracy of screening by detecting high-risk strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), the primary cause of cervical cancer, allowing for earlier detection and timely treatment.

The screening services are available at all community health centres.

• Women aged 20 to 24 years will be required to undergo Cervical Cancer Screening using the pap smear screening every 3 years.
• Women aged 25 to 65 will undergo HPV DNA screening as the primary screening test every 5 years.

Health professionals of the Health Care Agency will soon provide further details on the new guidelines and screening methods.

Contributed