Here you will find the answers to some frequently asked questions about cervical cancer in general and Population Screening for cervical cancer.
For a reliable answer to personal questions you should consult your GP.
Below are the answers to frequently asked questions about the self-sampling kit.
1. When is the best time to send my sample?
Have you taken a sample? Then send it as soon as possible. At the latest two days after use. Keep the kit and sample at room temperature (about 21 degrees).
When you take a sample with the brush (Evalyn Brush device), it does not matter how warm it is. For the urine samples (Colli-Pee device), however, it does matter. So that the quality of your urine sample remains good. Therefore, do NOT take your urine sample when it is warmer than 25 degrees.
Send your sample preferably the same day you took it. Before the mailbox is emptied by the postman.
You can find the latest emptying of the red letterboxes or post offices in your neighbourhood on the Bpost website.
Enter the field “Where are you looking for bpost?” and click enter.
- Scroll down and select the red letterbox or post point/post office of your choice.
- Under “Last lift times” you can see when the red letterbox of your choice will be emptied by Bpost.
- At the Post Point or Post Office, you will find more information about the opening hours.
Note: Do NOT send your sample on a Friday or the day before a public holiday. Otherwise, it will remain in the mailbox for too long.
2. Can I send a sample in hot weather (warmer than 25 degrees)?
See FAQ 1 "When is the best time to send my sample?" for general information.
When you take a sample with the brush (Evalyn Brush device), it does not matter how hot it is.
For urine samples (Colli-Pee device), however, it does matter. So that the quality of your urine sample remains good. Do NOT take your urine sample when it is hotter than 25 degrees. So that you do not have to send it when it is too hot.
At warm temperatures around 20 degrees and warmer, we advise you to send the urine sample as soon as possible. Preferably just before the red letterbox is emptied by the postman. Or hand in your urine sample at a Post Point or Post Office near you.
You can find the latest emptying of the red letterboxes or post offices in your neighbourhood on the Bpost website.
- Enter the field “Where are you looking for bpost?” and click enter.
- Scroll down and select the red letterbox or post point/post office of your choice.
- Under “Last lift times” you can see when the red letterbox of your choice will be emptied by Bpost.
- At the Post Point or Post Office, you will find more information about the opening hours.
Note: Do NOT send your sample on a Friday or the day before a public holiday. Otherwise, it will remain in the mailbox for too long.
3. I sent a sample in warm weather anyway (warmer than 25 degrees). Can I be confident about the result?
The HPV test we perform on your sample includes a check to ensure that your sample is of sufficient quality. Should the result of your sample be invalid, we will let you know. In that case, we will immediately send you a new self-collection kit. Together with the result letter.
4. I put my sample in a red mailbox today, but the mailbox will not be emptied until tomorrow.
This is not a problem.
See FAQ 1 " When is the best time to send my sample?" for general information.
5. I have taken a sample (and it is Friday or just before a long weekend). Do I wait to send the sample until Monday? How do I store the sample in the meantime?
See FAQ 1 "When is the best time to send my sample?" for general information.
When you take a sample with the brush (Evalyn Brush device), send it as soon as possible. At the latest two days after use. Store the sample at room temperature (about 21 degrees) in the meantime. Do not store the sample in the refrigerator.
When you collect a urine sample (Colli-Pee appliance) also store the sample at room temperature (about 21 degrees) after you have collected it. A dark and cool place is recommended at temperatures around 20 degrees and warmer. Do not store the sample in the refrigerator. And send it as soon as possible. At the latest two days after use.
At warm temperatures around 20 degrees and warmer, we recommend sending the urine sample as soon as possible. Preferably just before the red letterbox is emptied by the postman. Or hand in your urine sample at a Post Point or Post Office near you.
If you did collect a urine or brush sample on a Friday or before a long weekend, keep it at room temperature (about 21 degrees) until a Post Point or Post Office near you opens again. Or deposit it in a red mailbox before it is next emptied.
6. Which doctor should I specify on the participation form?
Write down the details of your GP or gynaecologist on the participation form. After all, this doctor will receive the HPV result of your sample. Just like you.
7. I do not wish to take a sample myself. What do I do with my unused self-collection kit?
Only you may use this set. The code of the set is linked to your name. If you are sure that you do not want to take a sample yourself, you can throw away the kit. You do not have to return it.
8. Traces of HPV were found in my self-collected sample, but my smear test at the doctor's office was negative. What now?
This is possible. In six out of ten women with traces of the virus in their self-collected sample, we do not find any abnormal cells in the smear. No treatment is needed. We do recommend that you make another appointment with your doctor for a smear after one year. To check if there are still no abnormal cells present.