Romania counters false claims about cervical cancer screening

Health officials in Romania warned that online misinformation falsely claims the cervical cancer screening test, the Babeș–Papanicolaou (Pap) smear, causes cancer. The National Institute of Public Health (INSP) clarified that the test is a life‑saving preventive measure that detects precancerous cell changes and poses no health risk.

Dr. Antal Álmos, chief obstetrician‑gynecologist at the Institute, emphasized that regular screening is essential to prevent cervical cancer, especially given its link to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. He noted that HPV testing, now available, allows clinicians to identify high‑risk virus types and tailor screening intervals—every three years for women with negative results, or more frequently when needed.

The INSP’s statement aims to counter the spread of false information on social media and reinforce public confidence in the screening programme, which follows European guidelines and has been shown to reduce cervical cancer incidence.