I am registered as a woman
In Flanders, people who are legally registered as women automatically receive invitations to participate in the organized breast and cervical cancer screening programs run by the Centre for Cancer Detection. Invitations are sent to those who meet the age criteria for:
- Breast cancer screening:
- mammography every 2 years for people aged 50–69 years.
- Cervical cancer screening:
- Pap smear every 3 years for people aged 25–29 years.
- HPV DNA test every 5 years for people aged 30–64 years.
Missing invitation:
Sometimes, an invitation can get lost in the mail. In these cases, a new invitation can be requested to the Center for Cancer Detection via email at info [at] bevolkingsonderzoek.be (info[at]bevolkingsonderzoek[dot]be) or by calling 0800 60 160 (weekdays 08:00–12:00 and 13:00–16:00). This option is currently only available for people who are legally registered as a woman.
Opt-out:
If you receive an invitation for a screening test that is not appropriate for your current anatomy (for example, you no longer have a cervix), you can opt out through the official channels:
I am registered as a man
In Flanders, people who are legally registered as men do not receive invitations to participate in the organized breast and cervical cancer screening programs run by the Centre for Cancer Detection. However, free and affordable screening options are still be available.
If you are otherwise eligible but are not invited through the organized screening program, a healthcare provider can prescribe the appropriate screening test, which you can then arrange independently. Details about reimbursement are provided below.
If you would like to check whether screening is recommended for you, see Cancer Prevention Services – Step 1.
Reimbursement
Cervical Cancer Screening
Regardless of legal sex registration, people with a cervix aged 25–64 who are are affiliated with a Belgian health insurance fund are eligible for reimbursed cervical smear, even if they do not receive the invitation to the organized screening programme, provided the recommended screening interval is respected:
- Pap smear every 3 years for people aged 25–29 years.
- HPV DNA test every 5 years for people aged 30–64 years.
The reimbursement covers the cervical smear; consultation fees are not included.
A cervical smear can be performed by a general practitioner (usually with a lower consultation fee around €4) or a gynaecologist (usually with a higher consultation fee).
More information is available on the Centre for Cancer Detection website.
Breast Cancer Screening
- People aged 50–69 who are legally registered as women are eligible for free mammography through the organized screening programme. If you attend the appointment offered in your invitation letter, the mammography is fully covered by the Belgian health insurance system, with no upfront payment, co-payment, or consultation fee.
- People aged 50–69 who are legally registered as men but are otherwise eligible for breast cancer screening (e.g. because they have breast glandular tissue) may still be eligible for reimbursed mammography. Discuss your eligibility with your healthcare provider, who can ensure that the appropriate clinical indication is documented.
More information is available on the Centre for Cancer Detection website.
HPV vaccination
People are eligible for HPV vaccination regardless of legal sex registration. Depending on age, vaccination history, and individual risk factors, it is available through different pathways:
- Children in the first year of secondary education are offered a free of charge vaccination through the school vaccination programme.
The vaccine is also free if administered by a GP, provided it is ordered through Vaccinnet (a consultation fee of around €4 may apply in this case). - People up to 30 years of age (including those aged 19–30 from 1 June 2026) who were not vaccinated through the school programme are eligible for reimbursed vaccination through the Belgian health insurance system. To receive the vaccine, ask your healthcare provider for a prescription, collect it from a pharmacy, and have it administered by your GP or another qualified vaccinator. You only pay the patient co-payment (€12.80 per dose), while the remaining cost is covered by the health insurance system. A consultation or administration fee may apply separately.
- People who meet specific clinical criteria, including immunocompromised individuals and, in some cases, people treated for high-grade cervical precancer, may be eligible for reimbursed vaccination up to 45 years of age. Discuss your eligibility with your healthcare provider.
Note: Depending on your age at the start of vaccination and your vaccination history, two or three doses may be required.
