End of NFZ Cytology: HPV HR Test Replaces Traditional Screening on August 1, 2026

Starting August 1, 2026, Poland’s Ministry of Health is replacing traditional cytology with the more accurate HPV HR test as the primary NFZ-funded cervical cancer screening for millions of women.

A Historic Shift in Screening

This is a massive change for millions of women in Poland. Traditional cytology is becoming a thing of the past, replaced by the more sensitive and accurate HPV HR test. Patients will be able to take advantage of the new test starting August 1. The Ministry of Health emphasizes that this is a revolution in screening programs that will allow for the earlier detection of threats associated with cervical cancer.

The Ministry of Health has already submitted for publication the amendment to the regulation on guaranteed benefits within the scope of health programs. It assumes a historic change for women in Poland. Classical cytology will cease to be the primary preventive test performed in the detection of cervical cancer. As the MoH points out, this is the next step in implementing a modern screening model based on HPV testing.

Originally, as *Rynek Zdrowia* recalls, the change was scheduled to enter into force in June 2026. However, this did not happen, and the Ministry of Health decided to postpone the entry into force of the program by two months. Thanks to this, patients will be able to use the modern testing method financed by the National Health Fund starting August 1, 2026.

Ministry Gives Doctors Time to Prepare

The Ministry of Health has provided time to adapt to the new rules. Clinics and doctor’s offices have one month. This is important because material collected from patients who underwent cytology before the new regulations enter into force will be examined according to the “old” rules. However, the transitional period cannot last longer than until the end of August of this year.

How the HPV Test Differs from Classical Cytology

The changes introduced by the Ministry of Health mean that from the beginning of August this year, the primary screening test for women aged 25-64 financed by the NFZ will be the HPV HR test. It is a molecular test used to detect the presence of high-oncogenic risk human papillomavirus (HPV) genetic material in cells collected from the cervix.

This is an important change for women because this test is much more accurate than classical cytology and allows infection to be identified before any cellular changes appear. Thanks to earlier detection of the threat, it will be possible to take preventive action faster.

Therefore, if the test detects the presence of the HPV virus, the doctor will order a liquid-based cytology (LBC) test, which allows for the precise determination of abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix.

If patients obtain a negative HPV HR test result, they will be able to perform the next NFZ-funded test every 5 years, as they will not be in the high-risk group. The NFZ will more frequently finance control tests for women with a positive HPV test result or those taking immunosuppressive drugs. In such cases, the doctor may order a check-up every 3 years, and in extreme cases even every 12 months. This will depend on individual indications.

Cervical Cancer Remains One of the Most Common Tumors in Women

According to information from the Ministry of Health, the change in preventive examinations may cover 10.2 million women who qualify for the NFZ-funded Cervical Cancer Prevention Program. In Poland, this is still one of the most common malignant tumors in women. Every year, about 1.5 thousand women die from this cause, which translates to 7.8 deaths per 100 thousand women annually. Statistics are merciless and show that every year 2.7 thousand women receive a shocking diagnosis of cervical cancer.

According to information from the Ministry of Health, the median age of onset is 60 years. The highest number of deaths affects women aged 50 and older. The Ministry of Health hopes that the new screening tests will positively influence changes in these alarming statistics.