Supravaginal hysterectomy in Curaçao prevalence and impact on screening for cervical cancer

In 2014, data from all hysterectomies performed between 2003 and 2013 on Curaçao were collected. Information about: type of hysterectomy (supravaginal or not), age of the patient, reason for a hysterectomy and incidence of cervical cancer post-hysterectomy were obtained from the nationwide pathology database. In addition, 600 hysterectomised volunteers answered a questionnaire in which the awareness of their type of hysterectomy and continuation of screening for cervical cancer after surgery were investigated. In the at-risk population (≥ 15 years old), 6.0 per1000 women (95% CI 5.9-6.2) had a hysterectomy between 2003 and 2013 (n = 692,304). From the performed hysterectomies, 2.9% were supravaginal and no cases of cervical cancer post-hysterectomy were reported. The majority (55.3%) of women were unaware of their cervical status post-hysterectomy. About one-third (34.3%) of these women had their last Pap-smear pre-hysterectomy. Information campaigns are needed to raise awareness in women, to continue cervical-screening after supravaginal hysterectomy.