TIRANA, Jan 21 /ATA/ – More than 14,000 women aged 40-49 years underwent pap tests and screenings for free in 2019 under a national cervical cancer screening program being implemented for first time in Albania.
“In 2019, we launched the national cervical cancer prevention program, providing free screening and pap tests for over 14,000 women aged 40-49 years,” the Minister of Health and Social Protection Ogerta Manastirliu said on Tuesday.
“Around 750 out of 14,000 women tested positive for HPV and were referred to the specialist doctors for further examinations,” Health Minister said.
She appealed to every woman to undergo the test for free at their nearest health care centers.
The national program is aimed at early detection and prevention of cervical cancer. The HPV test is coordinated by the Ministry of Health through the Institute of Public Health and is offered free of charge to women in the target age group of 40-49 years, the main affected age group by cervical cancer.
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