National Institute for Public Health and the Environment
Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport
In 2025, updates of the cost-effectiveness analyses for the three population-based cancer screening programmes were carried out by the Department of Public Health at Erasmus MC (Erasmus University Medical Center) on behalf of the RIVM. A summary of these analyses is provided in the appendix.
Breast cancer is most common in women who are over 50. That is why women between 50 and 75 years of age are invited to the National Programme for Breast Cancer Screening every 2 to 3 years. This screening test is designed to detect breast cancer as early as possible, even before someone develops symptoms. The screening test will take place at a local screening centre. Taking part is free of charge. You decide if you want to take part.
Cervical cancer is most common in women between the ages of 30 and 60. Every year about 900 people in The Netherlands get cervical cancer, of which about 200 die. Thanks to the population screening, precancerous stages of cervical cancer can be detected early.
On May 25, 2011, the Dutch Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) decided to implement a national population screening programme for colorectal cancer (CRC screening) . This decision was based on a recommendation given by the Health Council of the Netherlands (GR) and on data from a feasibility study carried out by the Centre for Population Screening (CvB) at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).