"Should the Legal Age for an ‘Erasmus+’ Look Back to 25 Years? Let’s Discuss"

By Sanne Van Belle

Singer Emma Heesters is urging women to get screened for screening/” title=”Cervical cancer screening – Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center Blog”>cervical cancer. At 28, she was diagnosed with the disease, caused by the HPV virus. A pap smear, or ‘outstirkje’ in Dutch, can detect the virus and prevent further complications.

The current recommendation for screening is at the age of 30, but Heesters believes this should be lowered to 25, given her own experience. "I always thought cervical cancer was something that only happened to older women," she said. "That’s why I want to raise awareness and encourage all women to get screened regularly starting from a younger age."

Dr. Jan Willem Cohen Tervaert, gynecologist and chair of the Dutch Association for Cervical Screening, supports Heesters’ initiative. "The HPV virus is very common among young women," he explained. "Lowering the screening age to 25 could help detect and treat cervical abnormalities at an earlier stage."

However, not everyone agrees with this proposal. Professor Karin Allgood, head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Amsterdam, believes that starting screening at a younger age may lead to overtreatment. "Young women’s bodies are still developing, and the HPV virus often clears up on its own," she said.

Despite this debate, the importance of regular cervical cancer screening remains undisputed. Whether the screening age should be lowered to 25 or not, women should consult with their healthcare provider to determine their personal screening needs.

Emma Heesters concluded, "I’m sharing my story because I want other women to learn from my experience. Don’t wait until you have symptoms to get screened. Be proactive about your health."