In 2025, more than 4.1 million invitations were sent to take part in one of the three population screening programmes for cancer: colorectal cancer, breast cancer and cervical cancer. This brings many people in the Netherlands into direct contact with the population screening programmes. These figures are from the monitoring reports published today by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). More than 2.2 million people were invited for colorectal cancer screening, nearly 700,000 for cervical cancer screening and nearly 1.2 million for breast cancer screening.
In total, more than 2.7 million participations in the various population screening programmes were recorded in 2025. Depending on the programme, participants completed and returned a stool test (colorectal cancer screening), had a mammogram (breast cancer screening), or used a self-sampling test kit or had a smear test at their GP practice (cervical cancer screening). In the cervical cancer screening programme, samples are first tested for human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that can sometimes cause abnormal cells to develop in the cervix. If HPV is detected (a positive HPV test result), a smear test is used to check whether abnormal cells are present.
Results of the population screening programmes for cancer in 2025
More than 1.5 million people took part in the colorectal cancer screening programme by completing and returning a stool test. Participants whose stool tests detect blood are invited for a colonoscopy to check for cancer and precancerous abnormalities. More than 2,200 cases of colorectal cancer were detected, along with over 16,000 possible precancerous abnormalities of the bowel.
More than 800,000 people took part in the breast cancer screening programme. Nearly 6,000 cases of breast cancer were diagnosed among participants who were referred to hospital for further examination following screening.
Nearly 360,000 people took part in the cervical cancer screening programme. Just over 232,000 used a self-sampling test kit, while nearly 127,000 had a smear test at their GP practice. More than 100 cases of cervical cancer and nearly 2,500 precancerous abnormalities were detected among these participants.
Population screening is important for early detection of cancer
Detecting precancerous abnormalities means that action can be taken before cancer develops. This is possible in the case of cervical cancer and colorectal cancer. When breast cancer is detected early, less intensive treatment is often possible. The chance of a cure is greater when cancer is treated before any symptoms or changes suggestive of cancer appear. The population screening programmes are therefore intended for people without symptoms. Anyone who has symptoms that could indicate colorectal cancer, breast cancer or cervical cancer should certainly not wait for an invitation from Bevolkingsonderzoek Nederland, but should contact their GP.