Poland's HPV HR Test Rollout Stumbles Amidst Doctor Resistance and Patient Stigma

As Rzeczpospolita, we are deeply concerned by the persistent shortcomings in Poland's public health system regarding the crucial HPV HR test for cervical cancer prevention. It is frankly baffling that nine months after its official inclusion into the national program, hundreds of clinics are still not offering this vital, free service to patients. This isn't just an administrative oversight; it reflects a deeper, more troubling resistance within parts of the medical community, particularly among gynecologists who continue to favor outdated cytology methods.

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For reasons incomprehensible to me, some gynecological and obstetrics clinics in Poland have not yet implemented HPV HR testing, even though nine months have passed since its inclusion in the cervical cancer prevention program.

The reasons cited – organizational problems, lack of proper implementation by clinic directors, and a stubborn adherence to old practices – are simply unacceptable when patient health is at stake. The fact that the test itself is free and the sample collection is reimbursed makes the failure to provide it even more egregious. This situation demands a significant mental shift, not only among medical professionals but also within the broader public consciousness. We must actively work to destigmatize the HPV HR test, ensuring it is recognized solely as a powerful tool for oncological prevention, not as a judgment on a woman's lifestyle.

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We are talking about several hundred facilities that still do not provide this service, although they are obliged to do so by both the Ministry of Health and the National Health Fund.

International experts, like Professor Suzanne Garland from Australia, have previously highlighted the unnecessary stigma associated with positive HPV HR test results. This is a cultural hurdle that Polish society must overcome. It is imperative that we educate the public and medical practitioners alike, emphasizing that HPV infection is widespread and not indicative of promiscuity. The focus must remain on early detection and prevention of pre-cancerous changes. Rzeczpospolita will continue to advocate for a swift and complete rollout of this essential screening, urging the Ministry of Health and the National Health Fund to ensure full compliance and patient access.

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The reasons are varied, but one of them is precisely the attitude of some doctors who still prefer cytology.