Free at-home testing kits are to be sent to millions of women in England on the NHS who have missed their cervical screening appointments.
Described as a “gamechanger”, the scheme offers a “discreet and convenient option” intended to persuade more women to undertake screening.
Included in each kit is a swab, which is utilised to collect a vaginal sample.
This is then returned to NHS laboratories without charge, where scientists test the sample for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV).
Where high-risk HPV is found, patients will subsequently be requested to go to a clinician for a cervical screening appointment.
HPV is a group of viruses which can be passed on through sexual contact and cause no symptoms.
Even so, approximately 13 high-risk forms of the virus are known to cause 99.7% of all cervical cancer cases.
Invitations will be distributed from today to eligible women aged 30 to 65 who have missed appointments, arriving by letter, email, text message or the NHS app.
They will then be able to order a kit through the NHS app or online.
The phased rollout forms part of the NHS’s target of eliminating 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.
“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.”
Women aged between 24 and 64 are invited for cervical screening every five years, or more often if HPV is detected.
Main symptoms of cervical cancer
NHS
Symptoms of cervical cancer include:
- vaginal bleeding that’s unusual for you – including bleeding during or after sex, between your periods or after menopause, or having heavier periods than usual
- changes to your vaginal discharge
- pain during sex
- pain in your lower back, between your hip bones (pelvis), or in your lower tummy
Latest figures from NHS England show 68.8% of eligible women are up to date with cervical screening, below the 80% target.
The health service estimates this means around four million women are not up to date.
Dr Mann said: “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.”
Gem Sofianos-Boorman was diagnosed with cervical cancer at 28 after taking up her cervical screening invite.
She said “it was the last thing” she expected, as she was “young, healthy, and had no symptoms”.
Ms Sofianos-Boorman, now 39, 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.
“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.
“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, said: “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.
“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.
“Beating cervical cancer means beating it for everyone, and this move brings us closer to that goal.”
It comes as experts responded last week to claims that suggest the brush used in cervical cancer smear tests is sterilised in a “cancer-causing” chemical.
Posts circulating on social media imply that the test, which saves thousands of lives every year, is dangerous.
But experts from University College London and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) warn there is no credible evidence that the chemical used to sterilise the swabs will endanger patients, and urge patients to go to their cervical screening appointments.