NHS England rolls out HPV self-testing kits to women who missed cervical screening

The NHS in England has begun offering human papillomavirus (HPV) self-testing kits to women who have not attended a cervical screening appointment. Over the next year, nearly four million women aged 24 to 64 will receive invitations via the NHS App, text message, email or letter to order a free kit for use at home.

Current figures show that around a third of eligible women have not taken up the offer of cervical screening recently. The self-testing kits are designed to detect high-risk HPV, which causes nearly all cases of cervical cancer.

Each kit contains a swab used to collect a vaginal sample, which is then returned to the NHS for analysis. If high-risk HPV is found, the individual will be invited to book a follow-up cervical screening appointment with a clinician.

Dr Sue Mann, national clinical director for women's health, said the home option addresses barriers such as embarrassment, lack of time and worries about discomfort. Trials in London suggested the approach could encourage about one in ten previously unscreened women to come forward, potentially boosting uptake by around 400,000 a year.

Gem Sofianos-Boorman, 39, was diagnosed with cervical cancer at age 28 after a routine screening appointment. She said the early detection allowed her to have surgery before the cancer spread, and she welcomed the new home-testing option as a way to make screening more accessible.

Cervical cancer often causes no symptoms until it is more advanced and harder to treat. The NHS emphasises that a clinician-performed screening appointment remains the best way to prevent cancer, but the self-testing kits provide an alternative for those who have missed appointments.

Other parts of the UK are also considering introducing HPV self-testing. Through a combination of HPV vaccination for teenagers and improved screening, the NHS aims to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040.

Women aged 24 to 64 are invited for cervical screening every five years, or more frequently if HPV is detected. Even those who have missed previous appointments can still come forward for screening.