ORIGINAL PAPER
Analysis of cervical cancer screening attendance before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic: six-year laboratory experience
1
Department of Medical Pathomorphology, Medical University of Białystok, Poland
2
Department of General Pathomorphology, Medical University of Białystok, Poland
Submission date: 2025-01-04
Final revision date: 2025-06-10
Acceptance date: 2025-06-14
Publication date: 2026-06-29
Corresponding author
Medical Studies 2026;42(2):230-236
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Cervical cancer is one of the most common malignant tumours among women worldwide. Cytology remains the simplest and cheapest method for detecting this cancer. Due to the very low participation of women in cytological screening, the disease is often diagnosed at an advanced stage.
Aim of the research:
The aim of the study has been to estimate how the COVID-19 pandemic and related public life restrictions affected cervical cancer screening during the period from March 2018 to February 2024.
Material and methods:
The research sample consisted of cytological test results. An analysis was conducted on patient attendance for cytological screening as well as an analysis of positive results during the periods before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Results:
The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated public restrictions negatively impacted the performance of cytological tests only ‘outside the programme’. However, what is particularly noteworthy is that the number of tests performed ‘as part of the prevention programme’ has increased. Despite the decreasing number of tests performed after the pandemic, we observed a higher percentage share of positive diagnoses (period VI: 2.24%). LSIL diagnoses are starting to prevail, which carries the risk of the development of higher-grade lesions over time.
Conclusions:
The pandemic determines the risk of the occurrence of high-grade intraepithelial lesions and cervical cancer. It is necessary to implement changes in cytological screening as soon as possible to increase the rate of cytology tests, not only during such a challenging time as the pandemic but also beyond it.
Cervical cancer is one of the most common malignant tumours among women worldwide. Cytology remains the simplest and cheapest method for detecting this cancer. Due to the very low participation of women in cytological screening, the disease is often diagnosed at an advanced stage.
Aim of the research:
The aim of the study has been to estimate how the COVID-19 pandemic and related public life restrictions affected cervical cancer screening during the period from March 2018 to February 2024.
Material and methods:
The research sample consisted of cytological test results. An analysis was conducted on patient attendance for cytological screening as well as an analysis of positive results during the periods before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Results:
The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated public restrictions negatively impacted the performance of cytological tests only ‘outside the programme’. However, what is particularly noteworthy is that the number of tests performed ‘as part of the prevention programme’ has increased. Despite the decreasing number of tests performed after the pandemic, we observed a higher percentage share of positive diagnoses (period VI: 2.24%). LSIL diagnoses are starting to prevail, which carries the risk of the development of higher-grade lesions over time.
Conclusions:
The pandemic determines the risk of the occurrence of high-grade intraepithelial lesions and cervical cancer. It is necessary to implement changes in cytological screening as soon as possible to increase the rate of cytology tests, not only during such a challenging time as the pandemic but also beyond it.
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| eISSN: | 2300-6722 |
| ISSN: | 1899-1874 |
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