The NHS is rolling out free at-home cervical screening kits for millions of women in England who have not attended their in-person appointments. The scheme, described as a "gamechanger", offers a "discreet and convenient option" to encourage more women to get screened.
Each kit contains a swab for collecting a vaginal sample. Users post the sample back to NHS labs for free, where it is tested for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV).
How the kits work
HPV is a group of viruses passed on through sexual contact that typically cause no symptoms. Around 13 high-risk types are known to cause 99.7% of cervical cancers. If high-risk HPV is detected, patients will be invited for an in-person cervical screening appointment with a clinician.
Eligible women aged 30 to 65 who have missed screening appointments will receive invitations from today (August 25) via the NHS app, text message, email or letter. They can then order a kit through the NHS app or online.
Rollout and targets
The phased rollout supports the NHS's goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2040. Latest NHS England figures show 68.8% of eligible women are up to date with screening, below the 80% target, meaning around four million women are not up to date.
Dr Sue Mann, national clinical director for women's health at NHS England, said: "Screening saves thousands of lives each year by preventing cancers and catching them earlier, but only around two thirds of women are attending cervical screening appointments when invited by the NHS.
"Offering millions of women an alternative test they can do from the comfort of their own homes will be a gamechanger – making it easier than ever for them to get tested for HPV."
Support from charities and survivors
Gem Sofianos-Boorman, diagnosed with cervical cancer at 28 after attending screening, said: "Looking back, I truly believe that going to my screening appointment saved my life. My cancer was found early, which allowed me to have treatment before it spread."
Health Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "These free self-testing kits will be offered to four million women who are currently behind on their screening to make it easier for as many women as possible to keep themselves healthy and safe."
Athena Lamnisos, chief executive at The Eve Appeal, stressed the kits are "not a replacement for clinician screening", while Michelle Mitchell of Cancer Research UK said the move "brings us closer" to beating cervical cancer for everyone.
