The Dutch government is offering Ukrainians who have fled to the Netherlands the opportunity to register in the Dutch Personal Records Database (Basisregistratie Personen, BRP).

The provision of a social security number (BSN) automatically leads to this group also being invited to participate in the cancer screening programmes. 

What does this mean for you?

Invitations to take part in screening programmes are sent out through the Personal Records Database. Are you a woman aged between 30 and 75, or a man aged between 55 and 75? If so, you fall into the target group of one or more screening programmes.

Did you register in your municipality ?

Have you registered in the municipality where you are staying ? If so, you will automatically receive an invitation for the screening programme.

Participation is voluntary

Participation in any screening programme is entirely voluntary. It is up to you whether or not to take part. The aim of the screening programme is to detect and treat (incipient) cancer or pre-cancerous conditions at an early stage. Taking part in the screening programme has certain benefits as well as disadvantages. If you are invited to take part, you will receive information about the process from Bevolkingsonderzoek Nederland and the RIVM. These are the organisations that are responsible for carrying out the three cancer screening programmes in the Netherlands. You will receive the information in Dutch. The information is available in English, Ukrainian and Russian on our website. 

How does a screening programme work?

The three individual screening programmes are carried out in different ways. For the cervical cancer screening programme, you can choose to have a cervical smear done at a GP or you can request a test that you can carry out yourself. For the breast cancer screening programme, you will receive an invitation to make an appointment to have a mammogram (breast X-ray) taken of your breasts. For the bowel cancer screening programme, you will receive a test that you can do yourself. 
Interpreters will not be made available for the screening programmes. 

Follow-up care

After taking part in the screening programme, you will receive your results. Although participants generally receive a clean bill of health, further examination may be required in some cases. You will have to go to a hospital for any such additional examination. In most people, no cancer is found in the additional examination. However, some of these people will need to be monitored by the hospital. If testing should reveal any cancer, you will need treatment at a hospital. Cancer treatment can be an intensive and lengthy process. As a displaced Ukrainian, you are entitled to all regular medical care from the basic package – including follow-up care after a screening programme.