The NHS in England will provide free at-home cervical screening kits to millions of women who have missed their appointments, a move hailed as a "gamechanger" to boost uptake. The kits, which include a swab for collecting a vaginal sample, will be sent to NHS laboratories free of charge and tested for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV). If high-risk HPV is detected, patients will be invited for a follow-up cervical screening appointment with a clinician.
Eligibility and How to Order
Women aged between 30 and 65 who have not attended screening appointments will begin receiving invitations from today via the NHS app, text message, email, or letter. They can then order a kit through the NHS app or online. The phased rollout is part of the NHS's ambition to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040.
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." She added: "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."
Uptake and Impact
Women aged between 24 and 64 receive invitations for cervical screening every five years, or more frequently if HPV is identified. Recent data from NHS England reveals that 68.8 per cent of eligible women have completed their cervical screening, falling short of the 80 per cent target. This leaves approximately four million women overdue for screening.
Dr Mann explained: "There are lots of reasons that may stop women from getting their cervical screening – embarrassment, lack of time, or worries about discomfort – and these kits provide a discreet and convenient option we hope will encourage more women to take up the life-saving test. So, if you're invited to take part, please order a test – it's a simple swab you can do at home in minutes."
Personal Stories and Support
Gem Sofianos-Boorman, who received a cervical cancer diagnosis at 28 following her screening, said "it was the last thing" she expected, as she was "young, healthy, and had no symptoms". Now 39, she reflected: "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." She added: "That's why it's great news that the NHS is making it more accessible for some people to take part in screening. Cervical cancer often doesn't cause symptoms in its early stages, so screening plays a really important role in finding something before it might become serious."
Health Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "Cervical cancer is preventable – but that's why we want to make it as easy and convenient as possible for women to keep up with their screening. 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." She added: "This is the future NHS we are building – there for all of us when we need it, and acting as early as possible to stop preventable deaths."
Athena Lamnisos, chief executive at The Eve Appeal, commented: "Cervical screening is designed to prevent cervical cancer rather than respond to symptoms, attending a clinic requires people to actively prioritise an appointment among the many competing demands of everyday life. Self-testing which can be done at home will be a step-change for many." She added: "We have the incredible opportunity to see the back of cervical cancer. How brilliant would that be? But to achieve this, we need to support everyone eligible to attend screening. This is not a replacement for clinician screening, and we will continue to work with and support those attending their traditional cervical screening, to help make their appointments more comfortable and accessible."
Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: "At-home HPV self-testing kits will help more people take part in a way that works for them. If people receive their cervical screening or self-testing kit invitation, please consider taking up the offer and encourage loved ones to do the same." She added: "Beating cervical cancer means beating it for everyone, and this move brings us closer to that goal."
