The Minister of Health presents Phase II of the pilot program, which will be carried out this summer at the Campos Health Centre.
Early detection and HPV vaccination are key to preventing this type of cancer.
The Health Department has begun the second phase of the pilot program for the early detection of cervical cancer among more than 400 women at the Campos Health Centre. In this second phase, the program focuses on women aged 30 to 65 and consists of a simple test in which the woman can collect the sample herself for analysis, thanks to the introduction of a self-sampling kit, which is picked up and delivered at the same health centre. It is a quick and easy test that allows the detection of high-risk types of HPV that could cause cervical cancer. If the results are negative, this test will be repeated every 5 years.
The Minister of Health presented this second phase of the Pilot Program at the Campos Health Centre, accompanied by the Director General of Public Health, Elena Esteban, and the Manager of Primary Care in Mallorca, Carlos Raduán.
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Health launches the second phase of the pilot program for the early detection of cervical cancer
During the presentation, Minister Manuela García highlighted the importance of population-based cancer screening programs and encouraged participation:
Responding to invitations to these population screenings and participating in early cancer detection programs is vital. I would like to encourage women to take part in this and other early detection programs. These are simple tests that take very little time, cause no discomfort, and are proven to save lives. Detecting possible cancer early, before symptoms appear, is the best way to fight this disease.”
The Pilot Program
The pilot program involves taking and analysing a sample of cells lining the cervix. The type of analysis and testing frequency varies by age group. In this second phase of the program, 444 women aged 30 to 65 from the Campos Health Center and UBS will participate, with an additional 295 women from the Ferreries Health Center and the Es Migjorn Gran Basic Health Unit in Menorca and 544 women from the Sant Jordi de Ses Salines Health Center in Sant Josep de sa Talaia to join in the coming months.
Phase I of the Cervical Cancer Screening Pilot Program
Phase I of the program, developed by Public Health over recent months, specifically targeted women aged 25 to 29. The pilot for this age group, in which 1,288 women from the same health centres participated, established cytology as the scheduled procedure. Cytology with fluid sampling is performed by a midwife every 3 years. If results are negative, this test is repeated every 3 years.
Early Detection Program: 378,000 Women by 2030
The program is expected to expand to the entire target population — women aged 25 to 65 — starting in the last quarter of this year. Different age groups will be incorporated gradually until full implementation. In total, the Early Detection Program for Cervical Cancer will reach 378,000 women across all the islands by 2030.
The aim of the program is to detect premalignant lesions and cervical cancer in its early stages. These programs have proven highly effective: when applied systematically and correctly, they have reduced the incidence and mortality of this cancer by 70–80% in certain countries.
60 New Cases of Cervical Cancer in the Balearic Islands Each Year
Each year, about 60 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed in the Balearic Islands, and around 24 women, mostly young, die. Cervical cancer is caused by a previous infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmitted sexually. However, the vast majority of infections are temporary and do not cause problems. Only 10% of infections become chronic, and only these can lead to cancer. It has been repeatedly shown that smokers are more likely to develop the disease, as their immune systems respond less effectively to HPV.
The disease can take decades to develop after infection; therefore, most diagnoses occur in women aged 35 to 50. Early detection, before symptoms appear, is essential to minimizing the progression of cervical cancer.
Early Detection and Vaccination: Keys to Prevention
HPV is a virus that mainly affects the skin and mucous membranes. The infection is more likely if sexual activity begins at an early age, if one has multiple sexual partners, or if a partner has had multiple partners.
HPV vaccination, screening, and treatment of precancerous lesions are key to preventing cervical cancer. The vaccination recommendations of the Directorate General of Public Health are as follows:
Vaccination is offered to all boys and girls aged 12 to 18 in the Balearic Islands. Starting in 2025, the nonavalent vaccine is administered as a single dose, based on studies conducted in various countries regarding protection against HPV infection and the new recommendations approved by the Public Health Commission of the Interterritorial Council of the National Health System.
The Balearic Islands introduced HPV vaccination for 14-year-old girls (born in 1994) in 2008. In 2015, the target group was set at 12-year-old girls, and in 2024, vaccination was extended to 12-year-old boys, with catch-up vaccination for unvaccinated girls up to 18 years of age. Starting this year, 2025, catch-up vaccination has also been extended to boys up to 18 years of age.